The Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing joins other journalism organizations in urging increased efforts to protect Afghan citizens who have helped U.S. news organizations.
We call on the Biden administration to support SABEW member organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and others, in providing any resources necessary to evacuate individuals who wish to leave. We echo the words of the National Press Club in urging the Taliban to “honor its promises to allow journalists to freely and safely do their jobs.”
Based on reporting from the Committee to Protect Journalists, several hundred Afghan journalists and an additional number of family members have sought protection from U.S. authorities. CPJ has also documented raids on journalists’ homes and beatings despite Taliban promises that members of the press will be allowed to do their jobs.
The world must know the state of economic and political affairs inside Afghanistan, no matter who is in charge. Additionally, we must provide a safe haven for those Afghan citizens and their families who have been the world’s information link to Afghanistan for the past 20 years.
SABEW encourages member organizations to join in speaking out on behalf of our colleagues in Afghanistan and urge their evacuation.
