Draft:Afghan Journalists Safety Committee

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Afghan Journalists Safety Committee
AbbreviationAJSC
Formation2009
TypeNon-governmental organisation
PurposeJournalist safety, press freedom, media rights
HeadquartersKabul, Afghanistan
Region served
Afghanistan
FieldsFreedom of expression, media safety, journalist protection

Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) is an Afghan non-governmental organisation that works on journalist safety, media rights and press freedom in Afghanistan. It monitors violence and threats against journalists, provides practical support to media workers, and advocates for safer conditions for journalism in the country.[1][2]

International Media Support has described AJSC as a countrywide safety and protection mechanism for journalists in Afghanistan, with regional safety coordinators, trainers and volunteers operating outside Kabul as well as in the capital.[2] AJSC has also advocated for press freedom and the protection of media workers during political processes, including the 2020 intra-Afghan peace negotiations.[3][4]

History

AJSC was founded in 2009. In written evidence submitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United Kingdom Parliament in 2019, AJSC director Najib Sharifi described the organisation as a countrywide safety structure covering all 34 Afghan provinces.[1] International Media Support has described AJSC as a locally led mechanism advised by journalists, unions and civil society representatives.[2]

In 2015, UNESCO reported that AJSC was involved in the local implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity in Afghanistan. UNESCO stated that the Afghan media environment had become increasingly dangerous, citing AJSC figures that eight reporters were killed and 129 journalists were injured, assaulted or intimidated in 2014.[5]

Activities

AJSC monitors incidents affecting journalists and media workers, provides advice and practical safety measures, and works with media houses, press clubs, unions, civil society organisations, local authorities and law enforcement bodies.[1] Its activities have included a 24-hour hotline, safe houses, training on risk assessment and management, first aid, conflict-sensitive reporting, digital security and social media safety, as well as psychosocial support for journalists affected by trauma.[1][2]

International Media Support reported that AJSC's services have included legal advice, safety training for male and female journalists, a safety fund and advocacy on media law and legal reform.[2] In 2024, IMS reported that AJSC had developed psychosocial support training after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, and that 543 men and 156 women journalists had taken part in mental health training and counselling in 2023.[6]

Monitoring of violence against journalists

AJSC has published reports and statistics on threats and violence against Afghan journalists. In its report on 2017, AJSC recorded 169 incidents of violence and intimidation against journalists and media workers, including killings, injuries, beatings, detentions, threats and verbal assaults. International Media Support described 2017 as one of the deadliest years for journalists in Afghanistan, citing AJSC figures that 20 journalists were killed that year.[7]

In 2019, Sharifi told the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee that security, financial pressure, access to information and political instability were among the main challenges facing press freedom in Afghanistan. He also warned that negotiations with the Taliban created risks for press freedom because of possible political change.[1]

Peace process and engagement with authorities

During the 2020 intra-Afghan peace negotiations, AJSC advocated for press freedom and freedom of expression to be addressed in the talks. International Media Support reported that AJSC, together with the Afghan media community, launched a roadmap in April 2020 setting out proposals for the Afghan government, the negotiating team, international stakeholders and the media community on the protection of media freedom during the negotiations.[3] AJSC's own account also stated that the roadmap contained proposals for different stages of the peace talks and called on the government, international stakeholders and the negotiating team to consider it during the process.[4]

IMS reported that AJSC was in regular contact with negotiating delegates and advocated with negotiating parties for freedom of expression and human rights to be included in the final agenda of the talks.[3] AJSC's gender unit also advocated for the rights of women media workers during the peace process, including through meetings with members of the negotiating teams and media outreach on issues affecting women journalists.[3]

After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, AJSC continued to be cited in relation to engagement between media advocates and the de facto authorities. Human Rights Watch reported that on 2 February 2022 Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid addressed a meeting of AJSC, which HRW described as a media advocacy group, and said that journalists should consider "national interests, Islamic values, and national unity" before publishing. HRW also reported that Mujahid said a new media commission would be established and that the authorities would enforce the previous government's media law.[8]

A 2023 report by the International Justice Clinic at the University of California, Irvine School of Law described organisations such as AJSC as having had contact with Taliban officials and as having attempted to negotiate in the interest of journalists. The report also stated that broad Taliban restrictions and threats had contributed to self-censorship among Afghan media workers.[9]

Taliban takeover and media restrictions

Before and after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, AJSC and international media-support organisations raised concerns about the safety of Afghan journalists. In August 2021, International Media Support stated that AJSC was working to move journalists away from Taliban-controlled areas and to keep independent media outlets operating.[10]

UNESCO, UNAMA, Nai and AJSC jointly marked World Press Freedom Day in Kabul in 2021, warning of targeted killings, barriers to access to information and financial pressures on the Afghan media sector. The statement also noted that concern about losing press freedom during peace talks had been a major subject of debate among media workers and press freedom advocates in Afghanistan.[11]

Recognition

In 2017, AJSC received the Free Media Pioneer Award from the International Press Institute and International Media Support.[1]

See also

References

  1. "Written evidence from Najib Sharifi, director, Afghan Journalists Safety Committee". UK Parliament. May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  2. "Safeguarding media in Afghanistan: The history of the Afghan Journalist Safety Committee". International Media Support. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  3. "Press freedom must remain on peace talks agenda". International Media Support. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  4. "Afghanistan Peace Negotiations". Afghan Journalists Safety Committee. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  5. "UNESCO Afghanistan implements the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists". UNESCO. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  6. "Creating safer conditions for journalists". International Media Support. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  7. "Situation report on violence against media workers in Afghanistan". International Media Support. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  8. "Afghanistan: Taliban Threatening Provincial Media". Human Rights Watch. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  9. Rosen, Elijah (June 2023). Lessons from the Afghanistan Media Crisis: Strengthening Protections for Journalists in Exile (PDF) (Report). International Justice Clinic, Afghanistan Human Rights Project, University of California, Irvine School of Law. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  10. "Hundreds of Afghan media workers are under threat: Support Afghanistan's journalists". International Media Support. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  11. "AJSC, UNAMA, NAI and UNESCO raise their concern over the press freedom in Afghanistan on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day". UNESCO. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2026.

Category:Journalism organizations Category:Human rights organisations based in Afghanistan Category:Freedom of expression organizations Category:Organizations established in 2009 Category:Mass media in Afghanistan