Security challenges for journalists and the mass media in advancing free speech in war torn countries: The case of Afghanistan

• Main Authors: Sediqi, Mohamad Tamim, Shuaib, Farid Sufian
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Serial Publications (P) Ltd 2020
• Subjects: K Law (General); K3165 Constitutional Law; K559 Comparative Law; KBP Islamic Law
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/86809/1/Art_Farid_Journalist%20Security%20Free%20Speech%20War%20Torn%20Afghnistan_2020.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/86809/2/Art_Farid_Journalist%20Security%20Free%20Speech%20War%20Torn%20Afghnistan_2020_Cover%20Page%20Journal.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/86809/; https://serialsjournals.com/abstract/49483_4._bro._tamim_security_challenges_for_journalists_and_the_mass_media_in_advancing_free_speech_in_war_torn_countries_the_case_of_afghanistan.pdf

The challenges faced by journalists and mass media in war torn countries are serious. The same could be said to be the case in Afghanistan. Though freedom of speech and of the mass media are among the on-going struggles of the Afghan people after the fall of the Taliban regime, it is worrying that the initial success against the Taliban or other new enemies not irreversible. Threats of violence against journalists and the mass media come from militant groups, politicians and government apparatus. The objective of this paper is to examine the security challenges involving the exercise of free of speech by journalists and the mass media in Afghanistan. The situation also requires the analysis provisions of the constitution and relevant legislation to see if they are equal to the threats. On the other side of the question, the paper also examines violations of the rights of journalists by the government machinery. This paper applies the doctrinal method wherein the research examines the laws of Afghanistan relating to the freedom of speech and freedom of the mass media. The quest of the paper among others is about the adequacy of the relevant provisions of the constitution and legislation. Lastly, the paper makes recommendations to improve the safety of journalists and the mass media.