Afghan Press

The Intern ational Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), in expressing concerns about efforts by Afghanistan ’s Government to censor television live coverage of militant attacks.

The proposed ban was discussed at a meeting at Afghanistan ’s National Security Directorate between authorities and some key media outlets on March 1. Official notice of the new restrictions was sent out by the Kabul police chief on March 2.

“These new broad restrictions can only be termed government censorship,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

“Blocking reporting on matters of vital importance jeopardises independent and impartial reporting on matters of vital national significance, and denies ordinary people their right to be informed about matters that affect their personal safety and security.”

The restrictions, which the AIJA says contravene Afghanistan ’s Constitution and media laws, follow an attack by Taliban insurgents in Kabul , in which at least 16 people were killed. Most of the victims were from India .

Officials say live coverage presents a security risk because it shows how security forces are responding to an attack, and therefore assists militants in their organisation of an operation. Officials have also said they are trying to protect journalists from gunfire and bombs, according to the AIJA.

AIJA reports that officials from the office of the presidential spokesman have said they would discuss how the ban is to be enforced by ministerial media departments.

The Interior Ministry reportedly plans to hold a news conference within the week to discuss the restrictions with journalists, their organisations and unions, and media owners.

The IFJ joins the AIJA in calling on Afghanistan ’s Government and authorities to reverse the restrictions immediately, in the public interest, and to respect the right to information

The Afghan Ministry of Finance supported by the High Office of Oversight and the Ministry of Interior today announced that it had arrested two customs brokers who are alleged to be part of an organized group operating at the Kabul International Airport who have been defrauding the government of customs revenues that could approach 1.5 [...]

The Intern ational Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomes efforts by its affiliate, the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), to engage in constructive dialogue with Afghanistan ’s Interior Ministry after a series of attacks by police on journalists this week.
Wahkt News Agency (WNA) cameraman and photographer Mohammad Naeem was brutally assaulted by police from Kabul [...]

Panjshir Governor Haji Bahlol hosted the official grand opening of the Afghanistan ministry of finance office in the Panjshir valley, in a ceremony next to the Panjshir River in the provincial center of Bazarak, Aug. 2.
The ministry of finance is specifically responsible for the management and execution of budget, collection of taxes, organization and control [...]

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned that the dangers faced by Afghan journalists may be escalating rapidly as Afghanistan prepares for nation-wide elections on August 20.
According to the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), an IFJ affiliate, a journalist from the Al-Jazeera English news channel was kidnapped in Pitch district of Kunar province on [...]

Safi Airways fly from today (15.06.09) on directly from Kabul to Frankfurt. Safi Airways is the first private afghan airline with direct flights to Europe and to Germany.
Read the whole news in German
Safi Airways website
Safi Airways on AfghanBiz

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is greatly concerned at the decline in press freedom in Afghanistan over the past year, noting that there have been 115 incidents of violence against media personnel, including the killings of five journalists.
The IFJ’s concerns were raised as the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), an IFJ affiliate, marked World [...]

Afghan President Hamid Karzai officially registered with the Election Commission on Monday to stand for re-election in country’s presidential polls
slated for August 20. The incumbent president appeared before the Election Commission Monday morning, naming current vice-president Karim Khalili as one of his running mates. But he replaced his other vice president, Ahmad Zia Massood, with [...]

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) applauded Afghanistan’s National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), which announced today the establishment of the country’s first internationally recognized national park.
USAID provided key funding that led to the park’s creation, including support of WCS to conduct preliminary wildlife surveys, identify and delineate [...]

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA) in welcoming the release of Emroze television producer and journalist Ahmad Fahim Kohdamani.
According to the AIJA, Kohdamani was released from detention yesterday after being held for 27 days.
The official explanation for his arrest by the Kabul Police Department reportedly under [...]