"This report seeks to provide an immediate overview of the current insecure media environment in which Afghan journalists work and the threat scenario potentially facing them after the 2014 withdrawal of international troops. The aim of the report is to provide input into local and international discussions on what the focus of media development support should be in Afghanistan in future to ensure that Afghan media can play its crucial role in supporting peaceful and democratic development. The data presented in this report largely stems from on-going monitoring of media workers’ safety carried out by the local body Afghan Journalist Safety Committee (AJSC) and its safety coordinators and network of volunteers across Afghanistan. The AJSC implements the IMS-established, countrywide Afghan Journalism Safety Mechanism, a set-up that combines a number of components to enable local media workers to survive and provide the public with accurate, reliable information under the most challenging of circumstances." (Introduction, page 4)
1. Introduction, 4
2. General overview of safety in Afghanistan, 5
3. Provincial safety challenges facing media workers, 7
4. Findings and analysis of the media scene, 16
5. The IMS-founded safety mechanism for journalists in Afghanistan, 20
The Afghan Journalist Safety Committee (AJSC) -- Regional safety team -- Reporting mechanism -- Media safe houses -- Mobile phone hotline -- Training -- Case-based safety advice -- Legal services -- Advocacy work -- Supporting female journalists
6. Strategic recommendations for future media development priorities, 24