The Taliban this week searched the homes of
"at least four journalists and
media
workers"
, according to reports from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which on Wednesday called on the insurgent group to
"stop the violence"
towards the press.
Read alsoAfghanistan: the West cautious in the face of the Taliban's rhetoric
On the other hand, CPJ, a New York-based NGO,
"is investigating today's news reports that Taliban militants beat at least two journalists in the city of Jalalabad, province of Nangarhar (East), where they were covering a demonstration against the takeover of the group ”
of insurgents, he said in a statement.
"The Taliban must end searches of journalists' homes, pledge to end violence against them, and allow them to work freely and without interference,"
said Steven Butler, Asia regional officer for CPJ.
Insurgents searched the homes of at least three Deutsche Welle employees, according to CPJ, which verified this information with the German public broadcaster. The Taliban
“were looking” for
these journalists, an official of the German group, Karl Justen, said on Tuesday on the channel's website.
"With the takeover of the Taliban, the lives of Deutsche Welle employees and their families in Afghanistan are seriously threatened,"
he said in a joint statement with another official, Peter Clever. CPJ said a spokesperson for the German group told it that
"the workers were not at home during the raids and were now in hiding
.
"
The NGO adds that on Tuesday, insurgents
"Searched the home of a freelance journalist and interpreter who had previously worked with freelance American journalist Wesley Morgan
.
"
The latter notified CPJ, which said it also verified security footage taken outside the home.
"Public engagement"
"The Taliban must live up to their public commitment to allow a free and independent press at a time when Afghans desperately need accurate information
,
"
urged Steven Butler. At their first press conference since taking power, the Taliban on Tuesday promised to respect press freedom, unlike their previous brutal regime (1996-2001). At least seven journalists have been killed since the start of the campaign. year in Afghanistan, according to the Unesco Observatory.