Afghan Government officials have declared on 12th Oct 2012 that the Ministry of Information and Culture has developed a plan to control the media, and submitted it to President Office.
Two days before Mr. President had ordered the Ministry of Information and Culture to strictly encounter the media which are broadcasting programs against national interests of Afghanistan.
In a declaration released by the Cabinet, it’s mentioned that the president believes some programs of some media channels are against the national interests and the Ministry of Information and Culture is commissioned to encounter them. Whiles there is not released any details by president office, the cabinet or Ministry of Information and Culture about the specific media or program which have crossed the red lines of national interests.
The step the president has taken is faced with widespread reaction from media activists, Journalists organizations and freedom of speech advocators side. Beside all these reactions, on Wednesday the news about the plan which was developed by Ministry of Information and culture in order to materialize the presidential order was released.
In the same day some MPs, who are known for their support from the president, declared their support for the order of the president.
Some of the media activists and analysts believe these kinds of governmental actions will pave the way to more pressures and restriction on mass media in Afghanistan.
Mr. Sediqullah Tawhidy the President of Media Watch said: “since foreign troops will leave Afghanistan and the presidential elections will take place very soon, therefore, the government wants to illustrate the red lines of freedom of speech for the media.”
Mr. Fahim Dashty the president of National Union of Afghanistan Journalists endorsed Tawhidy’s comments and said: “It’s being expected that in the next months the pressure on media will grow and the limitations against freedom of speech will increase.”
Mr. Dashty added: “but media activists, the journalist organization and civil society institutions will not surrender to these pressures.”
