Afghanistan media blackout on election violence 'illogical and objectionable' says IFJ

The International Federation of Journalists has deplored the move by the Government of Afghanistan to call for a media blackout of any violence during tomorrow's presidential elections.
“The IFJ finds this decree illogical and objectionable,” IFJ general secretary Aidan White said. “It is difficult to see how suppressing news about violent incidents can contain the insurgent threat to disrupt the elections. Nor is any useful purpose served by denying the electorate the basic information that they need to make an informed decision about whether and when to cast their votes.”
The IFJ has called on the Government of Afghanistan to rescind this decree of censorship without delay.
“The media community in Afghanistan has prepared itself for this election with a great sense of responsibility,” White said. “We believe that the judgment on what is appropriate to report is best left to the editorial discretion and ethical judgment of the journalists of Afghanistan.”