KATHMANDU: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) has called on the United States to ensure protection of Afghan journalists who have been left at the mercy of Taliban in Afghanistan.
The CJP urged the Biden administration to facilitate safe crossing and urgent visas for Afghan journalists as the Taliban is establishing its reign over Afghanistan.
Issuing a press statement Tuesday, the CJP expressed its concern about the lives of hundreds of Afghan male and female journalists, who could be a target of the Taliban.
“The United States has a special responsibility to Afghan journalists who created a thriving and vibrant information space and covered events in their country for international media,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “The Biden administration can and should do all within its power to protect press freedom and stand up for the rights of the vulnerable Afghan reporters, photographers, and media workers.”
On the very first day, the Taliban entered Kabul, Afghanistan National Radio and Television RTA stopped their live broadcasting and the staff was sent home. Likewise, security guards of Shamshad TV and TOLO TV were disarmed and the latter suspended its live broadcast and programs.
Najibullah Lalzoy, a journalist and editor at Khaama Press, said the Taliban claimed to be in charge of securing the facilities of the channels and justified that there was no need to keep armed guards at gates.
Meanwhile, in an op-ed for the Washington Post, CPJ Executive Director Simon wrote that an entire generation of Afghan reporters will be lost if the Biden administration does not intervene to bring them to safety.
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