In Afghanistan, 9 journalists were killed in 2021, making the country the most dangerous for press workers, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in its February 9 annual report on journalists killed and persecuted for their work.
Since 2001, IFJ has documented the deaths of 93 Afghan journalists.
“Afghanistan is the country paying the highest price. The IFJ Gender Council is particularly concerned about the situation of Afghan female journalists and believes that efforts must be redoubled to protect them and their families, urges international action to improve the critical situation of Afghan female journalists, who have been particularly affected by the Taliban *” , the federation said in a report.
In total, 47 journalists were killed in the world last year, including 7 women – they became victims of targeted attacks, shootings and explosions. Two more died by accident. The number of dead media workers has decreased compared to 2020, when 65 cases of murders of journalists were registered.
But despite this decline, 2021 was a record year in terms of pressure on the media and threats to journalists. IFJ registered 365 cases of detentions of journalists for their publications against 235 cases a year earlier (a 55% increase).
These attacks on press freedom have had a chilling effect on the media, the federation notes. In many cases, journalists have been arrested and charged with misdemeanors simply for covering protests or the coronavirus crisis of significant public interest.
“In 2021, we also found a threat to press freedom in the form of Pegasus, mobile phone spyware that was used against journalists, among others. Pegasus has broken the security of most portable devices. The confidentiality of sources and personal communications of journalists can no longer be taken for granted.”
Information taken from the website https://www.asiaplustj.info/ru/news/centralasia/20220210/afganistan-nazvali-samoi-opasnoi-stranoi-dlya-pressi.
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