2016 most violent year for Afghan journalists, report says

PanARMENIAN.Net - This year has been the most violent on record for Afghan media, with 10 journalists killed in the first six months, AFP says citing a new report from a national watchdog.

The Afghan Journalists' Safety Committee (AJSC), which released its January-June findings on Monday, July 11, recorded 54 incidents of violence against Afghan journalists, a 38 percent increase from the same period last year.

The report said the incidents included killings, detentions, intimidation and attacks, with most carried out by "individuals linked to the government" though it did not elaborate.

It also noted that the number of cases involving the Taliban had increased from previous years. It said the government was responsible for 21 cases and the Taliban for 16 of the 54 known incidents in 2016 so far.

In January, seven employees of popular TV channel Tolo were killed in a Taliban suicide bombing for what the militant group said was revenge for "spreading propaganda" against them, AFP says.

The AJSC also said female journalists faced formidable challenges, with their numbers decreasing amid a worsening security situation in the country.

"Currently, women's presence in the media is largely limited to urban areas," the report said. "Women have maintained weaker roles in leadership and news sections, highlighting a setback in the presence and qualitative growth of women in the media."