Attacks on the Press 2006: Afghanistan
AFGHANISTAN The Taliban Islamist militia re-emerged in Afghanistan while the government of President Hamid Karzai wavered in its commitment to Western-style media. Despite the proliferation of media outlets since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001, reporters complained of little or no cooperation from officials, who were unwilling to meet with them or allow…
Three weeks after abduction, photographer released in Afghanistan
New York, November 3, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of Italian freelance photographer Gabriele Torsello three weeks after he was taken captive by gunmen in southern Afghanistan. The Italian government confirmed to news agencies Torsello’s release, which was first reported by PeaceReporter, a Web site that works closely with aid agencies in…
Italian photojournalist, abducted in Afghanistan, still missing
New York, October 16, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the reported abduction of freelance Italian photojournalist Gabriele Torsello on Thursday. The independent Afghan news agency Pajhwok said Torsello was seized by five gunmen on the highway from Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, to neighboring Kandahar province. Pajhwok said the information…
Afghanistan: CPJ calls for probe into death of two German journalists
New York, October 10, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Afghanistan to intensify their investigation into the shooting deaths of two journalists working for German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Germans Karen Fischer, 30, and Christian Struwe, 39, were killed Saturday in the tent they had pitched near a road in northern Afghanistan. The…