JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 07, 2021
Join our WhatsApp channel
Mina Khairi, a 27-year-old presenter of Ariana News, who was seriously injured in targeted explosion on June 3 in Kabul, later died in hospital the same day.
The International Federation of Journalist (IFJ) and its Afghanistan affiliate the Afghan Independent Journalists' Association (AIJA) is alarmed by the increased targeting of women journalists and have urged action by the Afghan government.
Khairi, her mother and two others were killed by the car bomb attack, which occurred in the Chahar Qala area of Kabul’s District 6 area on June 3. Khairi’s sister, Hasina Khairi, was also critically injured in the explosion and died three days later on June 6.
The bombing targeted a public minivan carrying the journalist, her mother, sister and other passengers when it exploded at around 2:00 pm. Another six civilians were also injured in the explosion. The family was returning home after buying some food.
No group has yet claimed responsibility, while the Taliban have publicly denied involvement in the incident. The Taliban, however, issued a warning to Afghanistan journalists on May 5 against presenting “one-sided news in favor of Afghanistan’s intelligence.”
Mina Khairi is the fourth female media worker to be killed in 2021. On March 2, three female media workers from Enikass TV’s dubbing division: Mursal Wahidi, Sadia Sadat, and Shahnaz Roafi, were gunned down in a targeted attack.
According to recently released IFJ South Asia Press Freedom Report Truth in a Time of Contagion: The Viral Frontline documented ten journalists' killings in Afghanistan in the period May 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021 as well as rising incidents of threats and intimidation of journalists.
The AIJA said: “We condemn the incident terming it a 'barbaric act.' The AIJA urges the government of Afghanistan to do its utmost to prevent attacks on journalists and media workers.”
The IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: “The IFJ expresses its serious concern to the recent wave of murder of female journalists in targeted attacks in Afghanistan. This latest attack highlights the critical need for extra security for journalists and a clear strategy to combat the targeted attacks against women journalists.”
March 16, 2025: Senior analyst Imtiaz Gul joins the growing list of journalists and commentators banned from Pakistani television, raising fresh concerns about declining press freedom in the country.
March 14, 2025: Explore how exiled Pakistani journalists are leveraging digital platforms to deliver independent analysis and fill critical information gaps that state-controlled media leaves behind, transforming the country's media landscape from abroad.
March 07, 2025: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has questioned the delay in the Arshad Sharif murder investigation, as the government seeks additional time to finalize a mutual legal assistance agreement with Kenya.
March 07, 2025: Former Suno TV anchor Paras Jahanzaib breaks silence on her sudden removal, exposing government pressure tactics against journalists who refuse to follow official narratives in Pakistan.
March 05, 2025: The Federal and Punjab governments have denied advertisements to Dawn since October 2024, allegedly due to its critical reporting. In an editorial, the paper vowed to uphold journalistic integrity despite pressure tactics.
March 04, 2025: ARY News faces mounting pressure, as top journalist Kashif Abbasi remains off air, exposing the deepening crackdown on free speech in Pakistan. How far will censorship go to silence dissent?
March 01, 2025: Pakistani authorities' efforts to silence critical media voices are backfiring as prominent anchors build massive audiences on alternative platforms. This analysis explores how media suppression undermines democracy while empowering digital journalism.
February 27, 2025: Pakistan's media landscape faces unprecedented restrictions as prominent journalists Habib Akram and Khalid Jamil join the growing list of silenced voices, highlighting the dangerous consequences of state-sanctioned censorship.
March 16, 2025 The Trump administration has ordered furloughs at U.S.-funded broadcasters, including Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia, raising concerns about press freedom and government control over media funding.
March 15, 2025 Explore the dynamic relationship between athletes and sports journalists, examining the challenges, ethical dilemmas, and mutual benefits that shape the sports media landscape.
March 14, 2025 The National Press Foundation is offering a fully funded journalism training workshop in Singapore from June 22 to 25. The workshop will cover sustainable global trade, investment, politics, and more. Apply by April 6.
March 14, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urges Maharashtra authorities to ensure their AI-driven media monitoring plan does not undermine press freedom. The initiative, which classifies news as positive or negative, raises concerns over government overreach and self-censorship.
March 13, 2025 The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism offers up to $15,000 in grants and editorial support for investigative journalists. Apply by April 14, 2025 for the Spring Fellowship.