Wednesday January 29, 2020
Kabul (BNA) Afghanistan by joining to Global Press Freedom Coalition has taken substitute step toward supporting of freedom of expression.
BNA analyst commenting on the issue writes, Afghanistan by signing an agreement has officially got membership of Global Press Freedom Coalition the other day.
Global Press Freedom Coalition has been created by initiative of Canada and Britain for supporting media activities and freedom of expression, presently 35 countries including Afghanistan got membership of the coalition.
Sarwar Danesh Second Vice-President during a ceremony held in this regard said, “Signing this documents will add to our responsibilities in defending and supporting freedom of expression and supporting journalists and media as well as gives us hope that we have the support and cooperation of a global coalition.
In Afghanistan these rights are new but in a short time the media has grown to be one of the most trusted institutions and an example to neighboring countries.
Freedom of speech and growth of media is one of basic political achievements of Afghanistan.
Freedom of speech is an opportunity for promotion of democracy in the country which should be used in a proper way. We can change this opportunity in to big opportunity only when we have a national definition for freedom of speech and free activities of media.
Today, dozens of printed, pictorial and aural publications are operating in the country and state patiently pursue their operations and support them.
As one of the significant gains of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the last eighteen years, freedom of expression is deemed as a ‘red line’ and the Government is committed to protect Human Rights values and freedom of expression.
Despite, its constructive role in ongoing gains over the past 18 years, however, war and violence have limited the reach of media to do more to help strengthen democracy in Afghanistan.
In the recent years, the mass media has witnessed a significant growth.
Besides the visual, audio and print media; social media users such as those of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram as well as citizen journalists also operate freely and without any restrictions.
Moreover, in 2018, Afghanistan ranked top on the Global Right to Information Rating with an impressive score of 139 points out of a possible 150, or 93 percent. Indeed, this is a shared achievement of the Afghan government and its international partners, who remain firmly committed to ensuring and protecting the freedoms of press and expression in Afghanistan.
Journalists are still being threatened, attacked and killed simply for doing their job. Sadly last year Afghanistan was the most dangerous country in the world to be a journalist.
Despite these challenges Afghans should be proud of the achievements of their press. Many other countries in the region can learn from the commitment of government and the strength shown to open itself to challenge. The physical and moral courage of Afghan journalists is an example to the world of the importance of the press.
Responsibility in society and the country dependent on durable support of freedom of speech and media that have to be committed to it.
A.B.Maseer
