Violent Censorship on Rise in Afghanistan

There have been more than 60 cases of intimidation or violence against Afghan journalists this year, more than double the figure from the year-earlier period, according to Nai, a Kabul-based, U.S.-funded organization that supports press freedom.

"Freedom of speech must stay intact and nobody should be able to bring any kind of limitation," Afghan Minister of Culture and Information Sayed Makhdoom Raheen said. He cautioned that Afghan journalists should be careful not to "insult" the people about whom they report. He said he takes a personal interest in helping journalists who face threats. "Unfortunately our media does not pay attention to this very important point," the minister said. "Many people complain, that is why Parliament was very angry with me," he added, explaining that many parliamentarians accused him of not doing enough to hold the media accountable. Freedom of the press is shrinking in Afghanistan—one of the few tangible achievements of the lengthy international involvement.