As the World Press Freedom Day falls on Sunday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ( UNAMA) urged the Afghan government and the citizens to protect press freedom, a press release of the world body's office said here Sunday. "UNAMA urges Afghanistan's government, electoral candidates, media organizations and citizens to join together to protect press freedom," the press release said, according to Xinhua.
In observing the day, Norah Niland, the UN's top human rights official in the county said, "There is an urgent need to enhance respect for press freedom in Afghanistan."
The press release stressed that threats, intimidation, and arrests continue to endanger journalists and other media personnel in Afghanistan.
It also asserted that the press freedom is fundamental to an open society and the media will play a key part in the upcoming elections. "Afghanistan's government, media outlets, the Independent Electoral Commission and civil society must work together to secure an open and vibrant public dialogue in this election season, " the press release quoted Niland as saying.
Several journalists have been killed over the past eight years in Afghanistan while many more have received threat or been intimidated.
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