(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: Bonn Conference on Afghanistan Reporters Without Borders asks Afghan representatives to ensure the security of journalists. At a press conference held in Koenings Winter, Germany, where the conference on political transition and the restoration of security in Afghanistan is taking place, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release:
Bonn Conference on Afghanistan
Reporters Without Borders asks Afghan representatives to ensure the security of journalists.
At a press conference held in Koenings Winter, Germany, where the conference on political transition and the restoration of security in Afghanistan is taking place, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières – RSF) has launched an appeal urging the various Afghan representatives to ensure the security of journalists and put an end to the extortion that the press has been the victim of throughout the country. Eight journalists were killed within less than twenty days. In addition, the organisation has asked Afghan representatives to launch serious investigations into the the eight journalists’ deaths.
At the same time, Reporters Without Borders has announced that interventions with the legal authorities of the various countries where the killed reporters came from (Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden) had been made so that investigations about the conditions in which these journalists lost their lives are launched. Up to now, only the Rome Prosecutor’s Office has launched such an initiative.
RSF has also asked media owners who have reporters on the ground to take all necessary measures to ensure their security. Contrary to certain statements made by high officials of the Northern Alliance, many areas under its control remain very dangerous.
The press freedom organisation has recommended that the international community’s support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan be conditioned by the respect for media pluralism. RSF is worried about certain measures being introduced by the new authorities in Kabul. Among other things, they have demanded that Afghan journalists working for foreign media outlets register with the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From now on, before being authorised to work for the international press, Afghan journalists must be recommended by an officer from the ministry. RSF also announced that in collaboration with independent Afghan journalists, the organisation would help re-launch the Kabul Weekly, which ceased publishing in 1996.
