Bayan News – Amid restrictions imposed on journalists and media in Afghanistan, Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Political Minister of the Interim Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has strongly criticized these limitations on media and journalists.
Speaking at an event in Kabul on Wednesday, December 18, the official stated, “These are our media; trust them. The television journalists present here are the children of this country.”
According to Stanikzai, journalists represent the people of Afghanistan, and the money they spend is invested in their country, working to improve the state of the media.
He emphasized that the government should cooperate with journalists and media, adding, “Excessive restrictions and criticisms of them are harmful rather than beneficial.”
The deputy minister called on the leadership of the government to strengthen and support the media and to avoid creating unnecessary problems for journalists over minor issues.
Stanikzai clearly stated, “Let them be free to continue their struggle alongside international media. This will only be possible if the gap between the Islamic Emirate and the media is bridged.”
This critique by the deputy minister of foreign affairs is unprecedented, although he has previously criticized restrictions on girls’ education.
The interim government, however, has introduced new laws banning media from broadcasting images of living beings and producing comedic programs.
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