Sunday January 29, 2017
Kabul (BNA) Supporting, strengthening and developing freedom of expression are one of the fundamental values of National Unity Government (NUG), thus it considers itself bound by and subject to its consolidation and institutionalization.
Currently, according to the measuring indicators for freedom of expression, Afghanistan seems holding an acceptable position in support of freedom of expression both at the regional and global levels. Reporters without Borders has also recently confirmed that the Afghan government is one of the most responsive governments before media in the world. The 2016 World Press Freedom Index ranks Afghanistan higher than all its neighbors and 4th among 13 of South and Central Asian countries. The government constantly tries to provide safe and secure environment for media operations and suitable cultural context for freedom of expression. The signing of ‘Access to Information Law’ exactly one day after the presidential inauguration, appointing of ambassador to freedom of expression, creating of freedom of expression medal to praise activists in this field, establishing Immunity Committee for Journalists, following-up cases of violence committed against journalists by the second vice president, visiting and conducting ongoing dialogues with the media and… all the mentioned areas can be named as government’s efforts for supporting, strengthening and developing of ‘freedom of expression’. At a time when the country is confronting an imposed war, commitment to the freedom of expression and its protection and support is not an easy task; especially when number of individuals take Freedom of speech’s value & place in NUG advantage from existing conditions and progressive opportunities, try to attack from different sides on ‘freedom of expression’ or by misusing it, they go against government and State. While it gets arduously dubious and some consider the government is indifferent or even opposing the support of ‘freedom of expression’, although it seems that government’s achievements are absolutely brilliant in this area which require further support and admiration. Government’s glance at freedom of expression From NUG’s perspective, ‘freedom of expression’ – which” freedom of press and media are the examples of it – one of the most fundamental values of democracy, human rights and the country’s constitution and so on, government is obliged to protect and strengthen it.” Since “freedom of speech” plays prominent role in promoting democracy, realizing the popular sovereignty and strengthening the rule of law, “the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to further strengthen the enabling environment for the growth of freedom of expression and media efforts the actors are the key value, viewed as the eyes and ears of society and the protection of media staff and journalists aware of their main tasks.” The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, particularly the executive branch with the efforts and persistent support of President in addition to the taken measures mentioned above, has issued separate decrees and orders for the support of ‘freedom of speech’ and promotion of its culture and continuously insisted on the true, accurate and timely delivery of information. Unquestionably, in order to achieve the goals and values of democracy, encourage the active public participation through free and constructive expression of opinion for improving of national issues, promote collaborative culture and institutionalize the ‘freedom of expression’ and press, President has issued a decree according to its first article, the President and the first lady of the country are introduced as supporters of ‘freedom of expression’. Moreover, the government’s attitude towards ‘freedom of expression’ can be better understood in the President’s press statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day: “Understanding the importance of free operation of media and appreciating the value of freedom of expression, protect this great value and support it in the framework of law” Three pillars of support for ‘Freedom of Expression’ Undoubtedly the government undertakes responsibility and plays fundamental role in supporting freedom of speech, media and press; however, the country’s president and other officials repeatedly stipulated to accept and carry out the roles and responsibilities, but it should not forgotten that the government requires public’s assistance and cooperation in fulfilling its responsibilities. In this regard, it is essential that government has society’s support and necessary cooperation of media’s authorities and the activists of ‘freedom of expression’. In addition to assuming responsibilities, the Afghan government repetitively has pointed out to this important issue that: “…The growth of free media and further institutionalization of freedom of expression require cooperation between the government, media workers and the citizens.”, so without participation of these three important pillars, it is unlikely that Afghanistan could gain much success in protecting, strengthening and consolidating the ‘freedom of expression’. Therefore, “the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan while considering itself committed to the support of free media and its access to information under framework of law, requests media to properly understand and committedly fulfill its national duty by taking into account the national and high interests of the country.” To bring this in reality, President has issued a decree where it states: “In order to better implement endorsed laws of the country in the area of supporting mass media, to provide facilities for legal activities of mass media and media activists, to ensure safety of the media’s personnel during their duties, to build and promote spirit of cooperation among the government’s officials and media, and to reinforce the rights of media and citizens on access to information with consideration to the obligation of protecting supreme interests of the country” in this 6 article decree which can achieve the above mentioned objectives and for their realization it is required that “All governmental offices in the capital and provinces, civil society entities, associations of media activists and mass media in the country are obliged to implement the contents of this decree, and provide required cooperation to Administrative Office of the President to monitor its accurate implementation.”
Zia Danesh
