Afghanistan

Reporters Without Borders voiced relief on learning that a Danish journalist and his Afghan interpreter were freed shortly after being kidnapped last night in Taangar, in the eastern province of Konar. The provincial governor said they were released after a few hours. "Their swift release is excellent news but their abduction, however brief, confirms that the vicious circle of kidnappings of...

BERLIN: Germany officials said Wednesday they could not confirm reports from Afghanistan that a German journalist working for the Stern newsmagazine had been kidnapped and released, and Stern said he had never been kidnapped. Instead, officials in Afghanistan said a Danish journalist of Afghan origin had escaped a kidnapping attempt. Stern said journalist Christoph Reuter, subject of the initial...

In her newsroom in Afghanistan's only independent news agency, Pajhwok, Farida Nekzad sits worrying about information-gathering. Greater curbs from government and greater threats to her reporters have made her task more difficult. Earlier this month she compered a function on world press freedom day when Ajmal Naqshbandi's father limped onto the stage on crutches to receive an honour on behalf of...

(IFJ/IFEX) - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked to learn of the cold-blooded murder of an Afghan reporter last week. Ms Shokiba Sanga Amaaj, a reporter and presenter for the Pashtu-language channel, Shamshad TV, was shot by unknown gunmen at her home on the night of June 1. Her father has informed IFJ sources in Kabul that he is unaware of any possible motive for the...

Reporters Without Borders welcomes the reappearance of the independent Kabul Weekly newspaper in news stands after an absence of several months due to financial difficulties. The press freedom organisation provided financial support to the weekly, which is edited by Faheem Dashty. "Press freedom in Afghanistan depends on the vitality of its independent newspapers, radio and TV stations and news...

Reporters Without Borders has asked the US ambassador in Afghanistan, William Wood, to intervene on behalf of Claire Billet, a French journalist working for the independent Hamsa Press agency, who was notified by email on 17 May that she has been blacklisted by NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. Last month, she was arrested by private security guards and interrogated by US soldiers in...

May 9, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Some Afghan journalists have expressed fears that media are facing new restrictions and increased government control. The Afghan parliament is currently debating an amended media law that critics warn could signal authorities' desire to tighten their grip on news outlets. Backers of the draft changes dismiss the criticism, arguing that limits are in place to prevent...

The Afghanistan government has ordered a TV station to suspend broadcasts of Al-Jazeera’s English-language programmes, the station’s director said Tuesday. A statement from Lemar TV said the Ministry of Information and Culture, which oversees media in Afghanistan, did not provide reasons for the order. The station complied, but contested the order before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, the...

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Friday ruled out any more deals with the Taliban to free foreigners or Afghans kidnapped by the insurgents. He told a news conference at his fortified palace in Kabul that he came under pressure from Rome to approve the release of five rebels last month in return for the freedom of a kidnapped Italian journalist. Since that deal, the Taliban have...

A non-profit organisation that trained women journalists in Afghanistan has folded up. The Canada-based Institute for Media Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS) has announced that it is filing for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy period officially began March 21 and a meeting of creditors is scheduled for April 11. 'Raw-e-Naw' (Dari)/'Newi Lara' (Pashtu) was launched in April, 2004 with the goal of...