A free media has been one of the greatest achievements for Afghanistan after its Taliban rule has ended in 2001. Its newly found freedom of speech has not guaranteed safety for journalists and media workers though, but has provoked more violence. Many news reporters feel pressured by the government to self-censor themselves to avoid any kind of complication or life-threatening action. Abdul Mujeeb Khalvatgar, Nai's executive director, said, "There is no doubt that things are getting worse."
Incidences of violence, threats, and intimidation were up 65 percent in 2014 compared to its previous year. Human Rights Watch released a 48 page report titled, "Stop Reporting or We'll Kill Your Family," which documents the harassment and attacks on journalists. It also shows the Afghan government's failure to prosecute those responsible. Deputy Asia director, Phelim Kine, stated:
"Afghan officials, warlords, and insurgents have threatened, assaulted, and killed dozens of journalists since 2002 without any fear of prosecution. President Ashraf Ghani needs to back-up his campaign promises to protect media freedom by bringing to justice anyone who abuses members of the press."
Throughout 2014, the Taliban have threatened the media and targeted journalists who support "Western values." Female journalists face even harsher threats in a culture that limits their mobility and increases their vulnerability to attacks, including sexual violence.
President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah pledged to drop all politically motivated and unsubstantiated charges against journalists and also to uphold freedom of expression and protection against abuse.
Journalists turning to self-censorship has become the only option in hopes to protect their jobs and their lives. In result, Afghan people are becoming deprived of the realities of their government and society. A Kabul-based editor said:
"We see our job as needing to pressure the government to reform. Some issues we are careful about. … We censor ourselves for the security of our staff. These people don't file a complaint - they might kill us."
Sirat, 33 year old editor for Afghan's biggest newspaper 8AM, has been attacked in the street and received death threats in text messages. He left his wife and five children to move to a safe house and admits his family is afraid to go outside. Cases like this are disturbingly common in Afghanistan and the government's lack of punishment to those who commit these crimes remains an obstacle to media freedom.