Journalism is a noble and essential profession in our society. Journalists are often seen as the guardians of democracy, those who shed light on world events and issues that affect us all.
However, practicing journalism in certain parts of the world can also be dangerous and risky. This is the case of Mortaza Behboudi, a Franco-Afghan journalist who was detained in Afghanistan for almost 10 months.
Fortunately, the good news came recently: Mortaza Behboudi was released after being acquitted by the Taliban justice system. This is a victory for press freedom and a major step forward for the safety of journalists who risk their lives to inform us.
Mortaza Behboudi, who was arrested last January while on a reporting mission in Afghanistan, was charged with several offenses, including espionage and illegal support for foreigners. These charges were clearly unfounded and demonstrate the repression exercised by the authorities against independent journalists.
The organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which mobilized for his release, welcomed this court decision and expressed its relief. She also thanked all the people who mobilized and supported Mortaza Behboudi during his detention.
The release of Mortaza Behboudi is excellent news for press freedom, but it is important not to forget that many journalists continue to be imprisoned or harassed around the world. RSF recalls that to date, 514 journalists and 23 media collaborators are still in detention.
This reminds us of the importance of supporting independent journalism and ensuring that journalists can practice their profession safely, without fear of reprisal or persecution.
We must continue to defend press freedom and support journalists who risk their lives every day to inform us. The release of Mortaza Behboudi is a victory, but much more needs to be done to ensure the safety of journalists around the world.