Wednesday February 3, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan issued a decree the other day, based on which the government institutions should treat with media according to mass media law.
The decree states that the judicial and security bodies cannot recklessly arrest the media staffs, journalists and media managers. The points mentioned in the decree can be very effective and can further solve media problems in the country in case of implementation. Most of the government institutions still don’t know where are the sources of investigation on media complaints, as a number of government officials directly complain on media to judicial organs. The decree will end all recklessness against the media and legalize all the complaints on them. The Afghanistan’s media system is still so young, and would make some mistakes, as in some cases, a number of journalists don’t observe mass media law. But, the legal and authorized source to meet these violations is the commission to investigate the media violations.
According to law, whoever complains on media should refer to commission to investigate media violations which is in the Ministry of Information and Culture. Hereafter, the Attorney General Office (AGO) and the courts of the country should not accept the complaints on media and should refer them to commission on media violations. Another issue which concerned the media is the physical safety of their staffs and establishments, as the Taliban in a suicide attack on Moby Group staffs killed seven of them and injured many. Therefore, the media don’t have another choice without asking the government to ensure their security.
The presidential spokesperson said, ‘National Security Council (NSC) is working on a proposal to ensure the security of media. The media need the Afghan security forces to ensure the security of their establishments and assets, as well as give the media staffs some security advices so they protect themselves. Closing the media tongue is not in the benefit of society, as sound criticizes can be effective in some cases, because it sometimes causes the officials to pay attention of their responsibilities.
Lailuma Noori
