The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly deplores a decision by the Government of Afghanistan to censor media coverage of violence during elections scheduled to take place in the country tomorrow.

According to information from the IFJ-affiliated Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement yesterday asking all news agencies, both domestic and international, to refrain from covering any incidents of violence between 6am and 8pm on election day.

The decision was reportedly taken by the National Security Council of Afghanistan “in view of the need to ensure the wide participation of the Afghan people in upcoming presidential and provincial council elections, and prevent any election-related terrorist violence”.

The AIJA reported receiving a telephone call from the office of the President of Afghanistan underlining the urgency of abiding by this censorship decree.

“The IFJ finds this decree illogical and objectionable,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

“It is difficult to see how suppressing news about violent incidents can contain the insurgent threat to disrupt the elections. Nor is any useful purpose served by denying the electorate the basic information that they need to make an informed decision about whether and when to cast their votes.”

The IFJ calls on the Government of Afghanistan to rescind this decree of censorship without delay.

“The media community in Afghanistan has prepared itself for this election with a great sense of responsibility,” White said.

“We believe that the judgment on what is appropriate to report is best left to the editorial discretion and ethical judgment of the journalists of Afghanistan.”

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries