November 19, 2021

Exiled Afghan journalists require a platform and support

topic:	Freedom of Expression
located:	Afghanistan
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

Much of the nascent, yet robust, Afghan media and independent journalism collapsed amid the rise to power of the Taliban and following the dwindling of international support and funding. The new heirs of power, the Islamic Emirate of the Taliban, might not see any need for hard-hitting and critical journalism in the country. Their forces have already moved to disband or silence the remaining press. 

Nonetheless, the desperately anxious and needy people of the land deserve a free and robust press, just like any other basic human right, in order to raise their voices under these trying times while limited aid and crippling sanctions make their lives difficult.

A recent survey conducted by the Afghan National Union of Journalists (ANUJ) on the status of journalists in Afghanistan reports that only 30 percent of the media continues to operate in the country while 70 percent of the previously active press offices have ceased operations. As a result, ANUJ estimates that only 33 percent of journalists are active in the country and the remaining 67 percent have lost their jobs. The already small platform for Afghans to voice their concerns and cover their human right infringements has already dwindled. 

It seems quite hopeless to now expect the international community - or the Taliban officials - to allow or support independent journalism in the country: a grim reality that should not be tolerated or approved as the new normal. However, to support accountability and continue visibility about the state of Afghanistan, the media in exile needs to be nurtured, guided and promoted. The reputed and impartial journalists that have fled the country need to be brought together in a well organised mechanism for sustainable journalism and coverage to continue globally.

There are many lessons to be learned from the experiences of fellow journalists from various conflict zones around the world that have engaged rigorously with citizen journalists and media sources to keep the flow of information going and not let the oppressed people suffer in darkness. Though much of the attention remains focused on the efforts to rescue journalists, it is time now to also strive towards laying the foundations for a sustainable Afghan media in exile.

Photo by Waldemar Brandt

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