MAZAR-E-SHARIF, August 10, 2010
A two-day seminar on the situation of media in northern Afghanistan ended with recommendations for building professional capacity of journalists and stronger support to freedom of expression in the face of increasing threats.
Dozens of journalists attended the seminar from across the northern provinces to discuss the current situations, threats and opportunities for the media there.
Participants raised concerns about insecurity, threats from strongmen and poor cooperation of officials in giving information to journalists as the main challenges for the media in the north.
Qayum Babak, a local journalist in Mazar, said journalists cannot report some of incidents on human rights violations and other crimes in which mafia groups and warlords were involved. Due to threats from the warlords, some serious incidents and phenomena remain unreported, said Babak.
A statement was also issued by the seminar participants with recommendations to the government and the international community.