RASC News Agency: The U.S. State Department has recently allocated two million dollars to support Afghanistani journalists, as announced by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). The aid initiative, titled “Safety Reporting in Afghanistan,” aims to achieve four primary objectives, according to SIGAR’s message posted on the social media platform X on Monday, December 18. These objectives include providing emergency assistance to at-risk journalists, bolstering journalists’ security, backing the creation and dissemination of content in the public interest, and addressing false information and censorship.
The decision to extend assistance to Afghanistani journalists comes at a pivotal moment, given the escalating violence against them in the country. Media support organizations have reported a significant impact on journalists, media outlets, and women due to the restrictive policies imposed by the recently ascendant Taliban. This ongoing violence underscores the critical necessity for support and protection for journalists in Afghanistan.
It is noteworthy that the U.S. has already provided substantial aid to Afghanistan, totaling $11.11 billion, following the withdrawal of its troops. However, recent reports have raised concerns about the potential misappropriation of this aid by the Taliban for their own gains. The donation from the U.S. State Department to bolster Afghanistani journalists signifies a commitment to advancing press freedom and ensuring journalists’ safety in Afghanistan, despite the challenges and risks they confront.
