Afghan media safety in the spotlight as gunmen kill journalist

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 7 years ago

KANDAHAR - Gunmen killed an Afghan journalist on his way to work in the southern city of Kandahar on Tuesday, officials said, an attack that highlights the risks faced by media workers in Afghanistan.

Abdul Manan Arghand, who worked for Kabul News TV, was shot by gunmen armed with AK-47s as he was driving his car, police spokesman Zia Durani said.

The attack came the same day as a meeting in Kabul to discuss how to safeguard journalists. The U.N. mission in Afghanistan issued a statement condemning the killing.

Last year was the bloodiest for journalists in Afghanistan, according to the Afghan Journalists’ Safety Committee, with at least 20 killed and 169 cases of violence or threats. - Reuters

Amar Guriro joins Saga Digital AI after leaving Independent Urdu

November 16, 2025: Pakistani environmental journalist Amar Guriro leaves Independent Urdu after seven years to become Editor-in-Chief at Saga Digital AI, marking a major shift toward AI-driven journalism.

Fahd Husain back to writing column at Express Tribune

November 16, 2025: Fahd Husain returns to writing his Sunday column at The Express Tribune and is planning a new English-language channel under Express Media Group.

Najam Sethi quits Samaa TV for Dunya TV move

November 16, 2025: Prominent analyst Najam Sethi has left Samaa TV after two years and joined Dunya TV, marking another shift in Pakistan’s dynamic broadcast media landscape.

Dawn’s AI gaffe highlights challenges, not the collapse of journalism

November 13, 2025: Dawn’s AI blunder sparks debate, but experts say it reflects newsroom challenges and independence, not a crisis of journalism in Pakistan.

Dawn apologizes after AI editing prompt mistakenly published in business story

November 12, 2025: Dawn apologizes after an AI editing prompt mistakenly appeared in a business story, prompting debate on newsroom AI use and media credibility in Pakistan.

JournalismPakistan launches ‘Once Upon a Newsroom’ to preserve the legacy of The Muslim newspaper

November 11, 2025: JournalismPakistan announces 'Once Upon a Newsroom', a storytelling series celebrating Pakistan’s newsroom heritage, beginning with The Muslim, the now-defunct independent daily from Islamabad.

Pakistani media in turmoil as job cuts, censorship, and silence from unions deepen crisis

November 09, 2025: Pakistan’s media reels under layoffs, censorship, and union silence as journalists face attacks, fake news, and closures, deepening a nationwide media crisis.

JournalismPakistan unveils new tagline marking global expansion

November 08, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches its new tagline, Linking Journalism Worldwide, reflecting global expansion beyond Pakistan with Asia, World, and Middle East coverage.

Newsroom

RSF awards spotlight rising threats to Asian journalists

November 16, 2025 RSF’s latest Press Freedom Awards highlight escalating risks for journalists across Asia, drawing global attention to detentions, crackdowns, and worsening conditions for independent reporting.

Podcasting rises as South Asia’s new news frontier

November 16, 2025 Podcasting is transforming how audiences in South Asia consume news, offering mobility, depth, and independence as traditional media face pressure and digital habits rapidly evolve.

Nigeria jails journalists amid cybercrime law concerns

November 15, 2025 Three Nigerian journalists are detained under the Cybercrime Act despite 2024 reforms, raising concerns for press freedom ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sami Hamdi returns to UK following U.S. detention over Gaza comments

November 14, 2025 British commentator Sami Hamdi returns to the UK after a U.S. visa cancellation and detention during a Gaza speaking tour, highlighting free speech and press freedom concerns.

Fiona O’Brien appointed CPJ Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia

November 14, 2025 Fiona O’Brien named CPJ Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, strengthening press freedom advocacy amid rising global threats to journalists.