Afghanistan Journalists: How You Can Help

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JOURNALISTS:

The Los Angeles Press Club joins with the International Federation of Journalists to raise money to assist Afghan journalists, especially women, trying to get out.

To the IFJ Member UnionsAux Syndicats membres de la FIJA los Sindicatos miembros de la FIP

Dear Colleagues

As the Taliban take control of more towns and cities across Afghanistan, we are witnessing a rapid escalation of violence and threats against journalists and independent media.

The Taliban have made huge territorial gains in the rural areas and media outlets have been forced to close or have been taken over by the Taliban to broadcast their own propaganda. The staff have fled or are in hiding.

Just yesterday, August 17, 11 media outlets were forced to close when the Taliban took control of Baghlan province.

Women journalists are being banned from working.

The director of Afghanistan’s media and information center was assassinated in Kabul. “Dawa Khan Menapal was killed by gunmen on Darul Aman Road in the capital, reports said. The Taliban said he had been “punished for his deeds.”

In other areas, security fears mean that many media outlets are reducing their activities.

Already, over 1,000 journalists and media workers have lost their jobs.

The IFJ is working urgently with our affiliates AIJA and ANJU to provide emergency support, to help journalists take protective measures, seek safety and where necessary to leave the country.

Our affiliates in a number of countries are lobbying their governments to provide emergency visas to enable those most at threat to leave the country.

We have now established a special fund within the IFJ Safety Fund to channel further support.

We are seeking your solidarity to help us provide that urgent much-needed support. If you can, please make a donation. All funds raised will go directly to providing support to our Afghan colleagues.

FROM IFJ:

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Violence against media workers is increasing daily in Afghanistan. We have a duty of care but also a moral duty to support journalists who are working and risking their lives to cover the conflict in Afghanistan. It is time for the authorities, rights groups, media outlets, governments and the international community to do everything in their power to keep journalists, their colleagues and their families safe. Solidarity and assistance are urgently needed.”