Media watchdog groups on Thursday said the treatment of TOLOnews journalists by security forces after Wednesday’s suicide bombing near the cricket stadium in Kabul was in violation of the law and the constitution. 
 
The confiscation of cameras from a media outlet is theft, said Mujib Khelwatgar, chairman of NAI-Organization Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan. 
 
The journalists safety committee said the treatment was a move to clamp down on press freedom in the country. 
 
On Wednesday, Kabul police confiscated a camera from a TOLOnews reporter in Kabul as he was trying to cover the aftermath of the suicide bombing in the city.
 
“It is a clear violation of article 5 of the constitution, it defies press freedom and article 34 of the constitution, I think such an approach is aimed to hide the failures of the security forces,” said Khelwatgar.
 
Journalists also said it was in violation of the constitution. 
 
“This action indicates restrictions on the information and the work of journalists, if such moves continue, this will raise questions about press freedom we have today,” said local journalist.
 
“The law has defined a number of procedures regarding the publication of footage and there is no room for police to meddle in the issue. Therefore the security forces should cooperate with the journalists while they are gathering the information instead of putting restrictions on the media,” said Sediqullah Tawhidi, chairman Journalists safety committee.
 
Media rights groups warned that questions would be raised regarding press freedom if government fails to launch an investigation into the incident.