Taliban attack media house in Kunduz

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 29 September 2015

The Taliban's assault on Kunduz led to significant damage to Roshani Radio and TV, an independent media outlet. The attack has drawn condemnation from various organizations advocating for press freedom.

Summary

KABUL: Taliban militants on Monday launched an attack and took control of the central city of Kunduz, in north eastern Afghanistan after the Afghan forces retreated. During the attack the offices of Roshani Radio and TV were severely damaged and the majority of the equipment was destroyed. Roshani Radio and TV is an independent media outlet, founded by Ms. Sadiqa Sherzai in 2002.

The radio mostly covered women issues and majority of employees are also women. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) in strongly condemning the attack. Rahimullah Samandar, the AIJA President, called on the Taliban to stop attacks on media houses and respect press freedom of media in Afghanistan.

In the same statement, the AIJA also condemned the detention of Shirzay, a reporter from TOLO TV in Baghlan province for his reporting. The AIJA is seriously concerned about increasing insurgencies and the worsening security situation for media workers. The IFJ said: “This attack by the Taliban is a threat to press freedom and independent media in Afghanistan.

The Taliban needs to be respectful of media freedom and end attacks on the media. We also call for the immediate release of Shirzay and an investigation into his detention.” The IFJ urges the Afghanistan government to provide security to journalists and media houses as far as possible to ensure improvement in the overall safety situation for journalists. - IFJ