نی حمایت کنندۀ رسانههای آزاد افغانستان Nai supporting open Media in Afghanistan Media Watch Report May 2019 Owner: Nai Monthly Report #168 Razia Shefayee Media Watch Reporter 0093 )0( 782200040 Media Watch Report In this issue: • A local journalist was wounded up in Nangarhar province • Ayna TV Cameraperson was beaten up by soldiers in Faryab province • A journalist was verbally harassed by the Deputy Governor and local police in Samangan province • The parliamentary journalists’ complaint on lack of access to information. • Imposing restriction on access to information by The Afghan Defense Ministry • Nai’s concern regarding imposition of restriction on social networks by the government • Inauguration of a new daily magazine under the name of “Subh-e-Kabul” • And article analysis of Access to Information bill نی حمایت کنندۀ رسانههای آزاد افغانستان Nai supporting open Media in Afghanistan نی حمایت کنندۀ رسانههای آزاد افغانستان Nai supporting open Media in Afghanistan Summary During May 2019, cases which have been recorded at Nai’s Media Watch indicate conti- nuity of violence against journalists. In an incident, Imran Lemar, Mazal local Radio Journalist in Eastern Nangarhar province was targeted by unknown gunmen and badly wounded up. The incident took place while Mr. Lemar was leaving home for the radio office. Mr. Lemar was shot in the middle of capital city Jalalabad in Amir Shahid area. After the attack Lemar was taken to a local hospital in the city and then was shifted to Kabul for further treatment and according to doctors, he is getting better day by day. Furthermore, Ayna TV Cameraperson was beaten up by National army soldiers in Faryab Northern Province. Ayub Amini, the Cameraperson claimed; when he was filming misbe- havior of national army soldiers arguing with side road seller, all the soldiers got together and beaten up Mr. Amini. According to him; the soldiers had broken his camera and mi- crophone, too. Moreover, Shahrwand local Radio Journalist in Samangan province was verbally ha- rassed by Deputy Governor and local police. Abdul Rehman Saa’ee, Sports Journalist at Shahrwand Radio claimed; while attending a session on the eve of International Press Day, he was verbally harassed and prevented to join the session. In addition to criticize on lack of access to information, a number of journalists have com- plained on inaccessibility to information in the parliament. They said, they aren’t allowed to enter the parliament. Consequently, they were entirely unaware of issues occurring at the parliament lower house. According to the media sources journalists are kept waiting up to 3 or 4 PM on the daily basis in order to find and interview any member of parlia- ment on the issues of electing speakers for the parliament. It is worth mentioning that because of uncertainty of parliament speaker election process, media is the only source for out putting the news and information from the parliament in this regard. In another case, the Defense Ministry has prohibited their officials not to interview with media. The ministry had issued an official letter which was publicized and signed by Army Chief of staff and all of the officials at the ministry were prohibited to interview with media. - 3 - Media Watch Report نی حمایت کنندۀ رسانههای آزاد افغانستان Nai supporting open Media in Afghanistan In a different incident; Shahzad Aryubi, the former Minister of Communication and Infor- mation Technology through an interview with BBC had while he was the minister, said, that the National Unity Government has marked to restrict internet management. Mr. Aryubi had said that now the government is able to take action on restricting in- ternet management. The speech caused social networks users’ reaction in specific the Facebook users. Nai Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan has published a press release in reaction to the former Minister’s points and stated through the Press Release that “The Afghan Government wants to act against freedom of speech”. According to Nai’s belief, it is a worrying action which has been made by the Govern- ment in the scope of freedom of speech. In addition to these all, Subh-e-Kabul Daily Newspaper joined the Afghan Media Com- munity by raising the slogan of “We write and you judge.” Mukhtar Pidram, Subh-e-Kabul Newspaper’s publisher has said at a press conference; inauguration of another media outlet in the country determines that terrorists can’t prevent journalists from journalistic performances by killing or threatening them. Subh- e-Kabul is the 20th daily newspaper in Kabul. - 4 - Media Watch Report نی حمایت کنندۀ رسانههای آزاد افغانستان Nai supporting open Media in Afghanistan Mazal local Radio Journalist was shot and wounded up by unknown armed men in Nangarhar province Imran Lemar, Mazal local Radio Journalist in Nangarhar was shot and badly wounded up by un- known armed men on Thursday 25th March 2019. Haroon Helal, Mazal Radio Broadcasting Manager said to Nai Media Watch; Mr. Lemar was shot by the unknown armed men in the middle of capital city Jalalabad in Amir Shahid area, the incident oc- curred while he left home for the office. He was badly wounded up as result of the bullets shot. After the attack Lemar was taken to a local hospital in the city and then was shifted to Kabul for further treatment and according to doctors, he is getting better day by day. Mr. Helal said; it was about a couple of years that he knew him and his familiarity with Mr. Lemar indicates that he had not been in any personal confliction with someone and the incident took place due to his journalistic performances. Mr. Lemar was badly wounded up from his leg and eyes, his leg feels better but eyes needed to be treated outside the country. Mr. Lemar’s colleagues ask the government to pave the ground for his better treatment outside the country. Abdul Mujeeb Khalvatgar, Nai Managing Director said; the security forces have not clarified regard- ing Mr. Lemar’s case. We stand in need to know, who the people behind the incident are. And the security entities are obliged to follow up this incident and share its results with media. - 5 - Media Watch Report نی حمایت کنندۀ رسانههای آزاد افغانستان Nai supporting open Media in Afghanistan Despite, repeated calls and attempts we couldn’t have succeeded to interview Nangarhar Provincial office and police. Nai Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan asks security entities to follow up this case and let it lead journalists in the Eastern zone be assured and continue into their journalistic performances in a safe environment. Ayna TV Cameraperson was beaten up by National Army Soldiers in Faryab Northern province Ayub Amini, Ayna TV Cameraperson in Faryab claimed on being beaten up by National Army Soldiers. Amini said to Nai Media Watch; on Monday, 13th May 2019, it was about 06:00 PM, the time when he heard the repeated shot sound, he went at the scene for the purpose of news coverage. Mr. Amini continued; when he was filming misbehavior of national army soldiers arguing with side road seller nearby police headquarter in Maimana city, all the soldiers got together and beaten up Mr. Amini. According to him; the soldiers had broken his camera and microphone, too. Amini said the time while I wanted to film the scene the National Army Soldiers came to me, despite I introduced myself but they beat me up, broke my camera and mike and threw me inside the ranger. - 6 - Media Watch Report نی حمایت کنندۀ رسانههای آزاد افغانستان Nai supporting open Media in Afghanistan Amini added; I was in detention about half an hour, right after half an hour the police chief came and returned my camera. According to Amini his camera had been damaged by the soldiers. Thus, the incident Nai had publicized a press release and officially asked the Defense Ministry to fol- low up the case, identify its perpetrator/s and introduce them to judicial procedures. In response to Nai’s appeal the Defense Ministry has also announced that the case will be will be investigated and followed up seriously and negligent/s will be treated in accordance to law and judicial procedures. Abdul Mujeeb Khalvatgar, Nai Managing Director said; violators should be taken to legal norms. Moreover, his camera has also been damaged so the Defense Ministry is obliged to pay for this loss. According to him, though the Defense Ministry’s Spokesperson had promised that they would fol- low up the case and identify the perpetrator/s, once more we appeal for the explicit follow up of this case. Despite, the Defense Ministry had stated that the perpetrator/s would be taken to judicial law but still the ministry has not shared any detail and required measure regarding it with media. Nai Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan asks the Defense Ministry to seriously follow up this case and introduce perpetrator/s to judicial procedures. A journalist was insulted by the Deputy Gov- ernor and police in Samangan province Abdul Rehman Saa’ee, Shahrwand Radio Sports Journalist claims on being verbally harassed by Samangan Deputy Governor and police. Mr. Saa’ee said to Nai Media Watch, the time while he wanted to join session on celebrating International Press Day, he had been verbally harassed and not allowed to attend the session. Saa’ee said; on Wednesday 15th May 2019, ten days belated International Press Day was celebrated by the provincial office and Information and Culture Department of Samangan. I and one of my female colleagues were appointed to attend the session for its news coverage. - 7 - Media Watch Report نی حمایت کنندۀ رسانههای آزاد افغانستان Nai supporting open Media in Afghanistan Saa’ee continued; police didn’t allow us in security check points to carry our journalistic stuffs in.