With the survival of the 21 South Korean hostages remaining a question mark, the presence of the media around the site where talks between the militants and the negotiators are taking place has been banned. Afghanistan government fearing that the terrorist group will make hay of the extensive media coverage has restricted journalist entry near the site.
The South Korean negotiators are holding talks with the Taliban militants for a safe passage for the hostages. One thing is clear that the Taliban demand of getting their fellow militants freed from captivity will not be met. May be the Korean negotiators will try to lure the Taliban for ransom.
However, to bring the news to the public, the presence of the media is a must. But, the media ban in the province raises a question mark over the democratic credentials of Afghanistan, retrieving itself from years of violence and bloodshed. In a democracy, the people have the right to be aware of what is happening around them, and the media is the source of collecting and disseminating news to them. The bar on media, which is a mirror to the society, would mean a blow to democracy.
Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance for the journalists not to sensationalize the issue by interviewing the militant commandos, else the fears of the Afghan government will come true. The Taliban, already looking for an opportunity to mislead Afghanis, can benefit from the crisis amidst uproars in the country against the government.
Amidst all the uproars, the fate of the South Korean hostages remains in peril. No one has an idea as to what will come out of the meet, will the Taliban free the hostages or execute them like their two male companions, if the talks fail?
Via: Msnbc
