Reporters without Borders (RSF) said in its annual report that violence against journalists and media workers has decreased by 44 percent worldwide compared to last year, with 495 journalists having been killed, detained, and held hostage in 2019.

49 journalists were killed in 2019 compared to 87 in 2018.

In Afghanistan, according to the report, 5 journalists were killed in 2019, compared to 16 in 2018, 15 in 2017, and 10 in 2016.

Internationally, the report attributed the smaller numbers to a decrease of deaths from warzone reporting.

Regarding Afghanistan, the report said:

“In South Central Asia, media coverage has also declined in Afghanistan. The number of Kabul-based foreign correspondents has halved since 2014. The decline in the foreign media presence and reporting can be attributed to worsening security conditions (due to an increase in bombing attacks against civilians) and to a fall in international media interest linked in part to the gradual withdrawal of foreign troops.

RSF gave further analysis on Afghanistan:

“Unlike in previous years, bombings and attacks directly targeting journalists or media outlets were less deadly. Afghan journalists have learned to minimize their exposure in groups and to reduce their movements in order to limit the possibility of being targeted.”

The report acknowledged that resources are less available for Afghan journalists:

“Elsewhere, reporters are increasingly better prepared and trained for conflict zones and often better supplied with protective equipment – all of which helps to reduce the dangers in a hostile terrain.”

RFS said: “The sharp fall in the number killed in 2019 (44% fewer than in 2018) is seen in all categories: 36 professional journalists killed (instead of 66 in 2018), 10 non-professional journalists killed (instead of 13 in 2018) and 3 media workers killed (instead of 5 in 2018).”