Internews has joined with media support organisations worldwide in calling for the G7 and members of the Media Freedom Coalition to take immediate action to support Afghan journalists.

A coalition of civil society groups wrote to the Media Freedom Coalition – a group of 49 countries who have pledged to uphold media freedom globally – asking for visa restrictions for Afghan journalists to be eased.

“The flourishing of a vibrant and independent media has been one of the great success stories of the past 20 years,” said Internews Europe CEO Jodie Ginsberg. “All those who have worked for the media are now at risk – and not just those who worked directly for international news organisations. We are urging those governments who have made media freedom a priority to make good on their commitments by explicitly offering immediate asylum to Afghan journalists.”

The recommendations, which are being shared with the Group of Seven countries ahead of a planned G7 meeting on Afghanistan, also stress the importance of safe passage to exit routes out of Afghanistan and securing channels for money to flow into Afghanistan.

For more information please contact Jodie Ginsberg [email protected]