Today is World Press Freedom Day. Afghanistan ranks 120th on the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, same as last year. The low ranking comes much more from abuse and violence against journalists, than from the legal and institutional environment, though obstacles there exist as well.
The traditional news media can be heavily slagged at Daily Kos, for its failures.
I find it hard not to be aware, though, every time I read a story about say some warlord in Afghanistan, that the reporter is showing a considerable personal bravery. That everything I know about warlords in Afghanistan, or any other information whatsoever I know about the place, comes from the media of some sort. And that the news media continues to report from Afghanistan, at a level far above general readership interest, or attention at political blogs.
On June 4 last year, I typed up a blog post about the military and diplomatic situation around Kandahar. That it had some similarities to the situation 14 years earlier, when the United States was invading. I quoted a piece from Tom Bowman at NPR, which carried photography from David Gilke.
The next day, June 5, I blogged on the death of David Gilke and Zabihullah Tamanna of NPR, in Helmand province.
In January, suicide bombers struck a minibus carrying Tolo News workers in Kabul, killing 8 people.
In January, Mohammad Zubair Khaksar of Nangarhar Radio and Television was shot and killed in Nangarhar province.
In October, Yaqoub Sharafat of Radio Television Afghanistan was killed by gunmen in Zabul province.
In November, Naimatullah Zaheer of Ariana News was killed by a roadside bomb in Helmand province.
In December, Mohammad Nasir Mudasir of Melli Paigham Radio was killed by gunmen in Logar province. Journalists in Afghanistan can be threatened by all sides. Iranian media reported a U.S. military intimidation raid on Melli Paigham Radio, in 2014.
Since the beginning of the year, the Daily Kos front page has had one blog post about an event in Afghanistan, on the MOAB airstrike in Achin district, Nangarhar province.
A user diary was also promoted, using CNN’s constant repetition of video of a test MOAB explosion, to say that the media is next to useless.
Since the beginning of the year, the New York Times has published some 75 articles on events in Afghanistan.
CNN reported on the suicide bombing on the Afghan Supreme Court . On the shooting death of 6 ICRC workers in Jawzjan province. On the avalanches in February. On the attack on the Kabul hospital. On the attack on the military base in Balkh.
For CNN reporter Ehsan Popalzai and all the others to risk death to bring news of Afghanistan, is hardly next to useless.
Hollie McKay at Fox News reports on a dramatic retreat by government forces in mostly forgotten Badakhshan province.
Outnumbered and outgunned on Friday, the Afghan forces repelled the enemy fighters several times, seeking support from higher ups that Nader claims never came. Fearing a complete bloodbath and with morale fast falling, the colonel ordered his men to retreat. With that, he continued, they had no choice but to abandon their military vehicles and much of their ammunition and flee as the enemy moved in.
With little food or water, and that sunken feeling of having been forgotten by the leaders for whom you fight for, the down-trodden forces embarked on what would prove to be a tortuous three-day expedition. Already at 8,500-feet altitude, and then ascending to 10,000 feet and slogging 30 miles through uninhabitable frozen terrain, Nader said 20 soldiers "died or disappeared" along the trek.
On Monday, the remaining made it to the Ishkasham region of Badakhshan and instantly came under enemy assault – calling on locals to help defend their beleaguered group.
As of today, the Afghan soldiers have established a new front line of sorts running through a stretch of small villages.
One small battle could lead to massive strategic loss in Afghanistan, Hollie McKay, Fox News
A suicide bombing attack has struck a NATO military convoy in Kabul, killing eight Afghans, and wounding some 25 people including three American military service members.
At least eight Afghan civilians were killed and three American soldiers wounded on Wednesday when a suicide bomber attacked an American military convoy during the morning rush hour in Kabul, officials said.
The explosion happened around the corner from one of the entrances of the heavily guarded United States Embassy at the center of the Afghan capital, as a convoy of American soldiers passed through.
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The explosion on Wednesday happened in a busy area that has often been the target of suicide bombings. The adjacent road connecting the diplomatic enclave to the main international airport has been attacked so frequently that the NATO coalition and Western embassies now mostly use helicopters to get to the airport.
At least five civilian vehicles were damaged, and most of the windows in the nearby shops and apartment buildings were broken. Residents watched from inside as ambulance workers searched the dead for identification and ferried the wounded to hospitals.
Suicide Bombing of U.S. Military Convoy in Kabul Kills 8 Afghans, Mujib Mashal and Fahim Abed, New York Times
An investigation of the attack, which is still in its early stages, indicates that the Haqqani network is behind the bombing. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attacker is said to have been targeting a convoy of NATO-helmed Resolute Support vehicles close to Massoud Square in the city center, igniting at a NDS checkpoint. At least eight have died and a further 25 wounded, officials said.
A military source told Fox News the bomber pretended to be a construction worker, with tools and a uniform, and when the convoy arrived he pressed the button.
NATO convoy targeted in Kabul suicide bombing, at least 8 dead, Hollie McKay, Fox News
Khaama Press has put a rather striking title on a UNAMA press release.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan welcomed the conclusion of peace agreement between the Afghan government and the Hez-e-Islami led Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, saying UNAMA is encouraged by steps towards peace in Afghanistan.
A statement by the UN mission in Afghanistan said “UNAMA supports the efforts by Afghanistan’s National Unity Government to engage all those interested in establishing an equitable peace and renouncing violence for good.”
UN mission in Afghanistan welcomes Hekmatyar’s return to Afghanistan, Khaama Press
Whatever stance might be taken on the peace deal with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, for the United Nations to welcome his return to Afghanistan seems a bit much.