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World Press Freedom Day Celebrated in Afghanistan
03 May 2015 Kabul, Afghanistan |Word Press Freedom Day was celebrated by NAI, Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, Voice of Afghan Women Journalists, Afghanistan Journalists Safety Committee, Afghanistan National Journalists Union and the UNESCO Office in Afghanistan with the global theme 鈥淟et Journalism Thrive!鈥
Around 120 journalists including spokesperson from Ministry of Interior and National Directorate of Security, UNAMA and UNESCO attended the observance of the 2015 World Press Freedom Day.
The event started with the report of violence against journalists published by NAI Media Watch. Mr. Siddiqiullah Tauhidi, Media Watch Director Said; 鈥淭he violence against journalists witnesses an increase of up to 34% compared to 2014鈥.
The UN joint message from Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO and Zei Ra鈥檃d Al Hussaein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was delivered by Mr. Ricardo Grassi, Senior Advisor for Communication and Information, UNESCO Kabul.
It emphasized that 鈥淔reedom of expression and press freedom are not luxury attributes that can wait until sustainable development has been achieved 鈥 it is an enabler for the enjoyment of all human rights and, therefore, vital to good governance and the rule of law鈥.
Among the speakers, Mr. Sediq Seddeqi, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior said 鈥淲e will never accept any sort of censorship or threat to journalists; he also added that 48% threat from the government officials as per the report published by NAI is precarious and we will double our efforts to minimize it鈥.
The event was concluded with the distribution of NAI journalist鈥檚 award in recognition of their outstanding dedication and hard work from different media outlets and provinces.
