The security detail of President Ashraf Ghani did not allow local journalists to cover a presidential visit to the northern Balk province, said Nai, supporting open media in Afghanistan, today, July 14.
On July 13, President Ghani, accompanied by a number of influential figures and his first vice, paid a visit to Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, to review the security situation in the province. He met local and security officials.
The President must be accountable to the people in this critical situation while not permitting journalists to cover a presidential visit will widen the gap between the government and people, Nai said in a statement.
The security detail kept the President out of the access of local journalists.
President Ghani went to Mazar-e-Sharif yesterday morning to check the general situation in Balkh province. During this trip, he met with a number of military officials and civilians in Balkh.
This comes while earlier in reaction to limitations imposed by the Taliban and government against media, Free Speech House (FSH) and Nai called on the warring parties to respect principles of freedom of speech and free media.
