(MENAFN- Daily Outlook Afghanistan) KHOST CITY - A number of journalists in southeastern Khost province haveblamed police and the governor's house for noy sharing information with themedia.
They say the problem, which has long been persisting, became seriousrecently, with reporters waiting for days for the comments they seek.
Mohamamd Rahim Sikandar, a reporter with Salam Watandar Radio, told PajhwokAfghan News the officials concerned did not share information with them intime.
He said journalists had shared the problem several times with thegovernor's house and police headquarters,, but the issue was still lingering.
'There are many events, to which officials invite reporters from thestate-run television. They do not want their weaknesses to be exposed byindependent media, he alleged.
Sardar Shafaq, a Saihoon News Agency reporter based in Khost, confirmedaccess to information was necoming more difficult in the province with eachpassing day.
He said that only pro-government journalists were invited to programmeswhere public complaints and problems were shared, with independent media keptout of the loop.
Shafaq warned they would stop publishing positive news stories regardingthe police headquarters if the officials concerned continued denying theminformation.
'Police officials don't offer information on security incidents; someincidents happen in the morning but they refuse to share details with the mediauntil late night, he complained.
Batkh Jan Bakhtiar, a reporter with Killid Radio, also grumbled about localpolice officials not cooperating with journalists.
Meanwhile, Saifullah Hayat, head of the Journalists Safety Committee in thesoutheastern zone, confirmed officials did not share information with reportersin some cases.
He asked local the provincial authorities to cooperate with journalists onaccess to information.
'Officials refuse to play ball or share information with the media too lateto be of any value, he remarked.
On the other hand, the governor's spokesman, Talib Mangal, said they hadgood relations with the media and invited journalists to important events.
'We are unaware what type of problems journalists are faced in terms ofaccess to information. If there is any, they can share it with us. Thegovernor's house offers information in accordance with the law, he insisted.
Adil Haidar, the police spokesman, said they always shared information withthe media, but they were barred by the Ministry of Interior from giving detailsof certain incidents without its permission.
Based on Access to Information Law, all government organs are responsiblefor sharing information with the media. Confidential information is anexception. (Pajhwok)
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