Journalists from all over the world report from Afghanistan around the clock and risk their lives for it. Because the Taliban apparently want to silence media representatives in a targeted manner – also at the expense of their families.
At a first press conference, the Taliban spokesman spoke of “forgiveness”. In truth, the Islamists have been hunting journalists – and not just since they came to power in Kabul. According to media reports, they move from house to house in search of their declared enemies. And do not stop at relatives who are not involved.
In this way, the Taliban are said to have shot a family member of a Deutsche Welle journalist and seriously injured another relative. It’s just one of many. Journalists from all over the world – and apparently their families too – must fear for their lives in Afghanistan.
US media partners with Pentagon on bailout
In an article published on Thursday, the New York Times describes how news organizations got Afghan colleagues out of Kabul. The new rulers had targeted journalists from the US media at the capital’s overcrowded airport. The approximately 200 local employees and their families had to stay unsecured in their homes for several days before they could be taken out of the country.
In the difficult rescue operation, US editorial offices, the Pentagon and Qatar should have worked together. “We urge the international community to continue to stand up for the many brave Afghan journalists who are still in danger in the country,” said Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, editor of the New York Times.
But the rescue does not always succeed: the death of seven journalists in Afghanistan was confirmed this year alone. Including a translator who, according to DW, has often worked for the weekly newspaper “Zeit”. Together with numerous other German media, the stern Appeals to the German government to rescue journalists from Afghanistan. In the open letter, the media called, among other things, for a visa emergency program for Afghan employees.
Al Jazeera sends more reporters to Afghanistan
The Los Angeles Times reports how one of its photographers was hit on the head by a Taliban fighter when he was taking pictures of people who wanted to hoist the Afghan national flag instead of the white Taliban banner. The soldiers then continued to beat the journalist and a colleague before they finally released them.
The hunt for the media representatives is apparently targeted, reports Deutsche Welle. In addition to the murder of the relatives, the houses were searched by at least three other DW journalists. According to the “New York Times”, some radio journalists are now doing without armored vehicles and instead use unmarked taxis to remain undetected. Journalists also switched off their satellite telephones in spite of the unreliable cell phone network in order not to reveal their locations, as Deborah Rayner from CNN explained.
Only the Qatar-based news channel “Al Jazeera” still operates largely undisturbed, according to information from the “New York Times” – additional reporters have even been sent, especially from neighboring countries. “The focus on Afghanistan is very important at the moment and crucial for the people of Afghanistan to hold the Taliban accountable for the promises they have made,” said managing editor Mohamed Moawad.
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