JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 16, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), have condemned the killing of a senior journalist in Afghanistan. The IFJ and AIJA jointly demanded immediate and transparent investigations into his death from the Afghan authorities.
On Thursday December 15, 53-year-old Mohammad Nasir Mudasir, station manager and senior program organiser for Mili Payam or National Message Radio Station and founding member of AIJA, was gunned down at approximately 4:30pm in Muhammed Agha District of Logar Province southern Kabul.
AIJA’s initial investigations have revealed that two unidentified armed men opened fire on Mudasir as he was leaving his workplace at the radio station to go home. Mudasir received several bullets and died on the spot.
AIJA provincial leader, Khan Wali Ahmadzai said that Mudasir and other workers at the station had received persistent threats over the past two years.
Strongly condemning the killing, AIJA said: “We call on Afghan authorities to conduct a serious investigation to bring those involved to justice.”
Local governor, Halim Fiday, told AIJA that serious investigations into Mudasir’s death would be pursued.
According to IFJ records, Mudasir is the 13th journalist to be killed in Afghanistan this year and the 28th in the Asia Pacific region. The year began with seven media workers being killed in a deadly bomb attack on a staff bus of Tolo TV in Kabul in January; a senior journalist was shot dead in Nangarhar province in February; two journalists working at the National Public Radio – an Afghan and an American – were killed in Helmand in June; a reporter for the state-run Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) was shot dead in Zabul in October; and a local reporter for Kabul-based Ariana TV was killed in a bomb blast in November.
IFJ general secretary, Anthony Bellanger asked that the Afghan government highlight this sad case, saying: “The IFJ is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Afghan journalist Mohammad Nasir Mudasir and urges the Afghan government to pursue immediate action to determine the motive behind his murder and prosecute those responsible. The IFJ is gravely concerned about the culture of violence and impunity against journalists in Afghanistan after a deadly year, and calls on Afghan authorities and those in positions of power to ensure the safety and security of journalists and end the incessant killing.”
The AIJA has organized a protest for Friday December 16 to demand Afghan authorities end impunity and properly investigate the killings of all 13 Afghan journalists in 2016. - IFJ media release/Image courtesy: Afghanistan Journalists Center
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.