Afghanistan: Assaults on journalists on the rise

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is dismayed at reports of a violent attack on two radio journalists in the western province of Herat on November 2.

According to reports from local journalists’ organisation the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) the chief editor of FM radio Faryad, Khalil Amiri, and the station coordinator Sheer Agha Nejati, were targeted by gunmen and attacked with a knife.

Both journalists were badly beaten and Amiri was hospitalised after being knocked unconscious.

Amiri alleged that the gunmen threw pepper into his eyes so that he would not be able to recognise them. He believes his assailants have targeted him because of his program ‘Faryad shuma wa pasukh massoulin’ (‘Your concerns and answers from the officials’) where government officials are invited on air to answer public queries.

Mr Nejati also said that one of the attackers had been arrested while the other escaped before police arrived.

Rahimullah Samander, President of the AIJA, said it was important for the government to investigate the attack and ensure the assailants are punished.

“Unless the government steps up its efforts to bring those responsible to justice, the safety of journalists and press freedom will always be under threat in Afghanistan,” Samander said.

The AIJA has also reported that, the chief editor of community station Radio Saday-e-Nejrab Abdul Mutalib Hamid was threatened by anonymous callers demanding he stop broadcasting.