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November 07, 2025 – Afghanistan –
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the assassination of Afghan TV anchor and journalist Yama Siawash, who was killed after explosives planted in his vehicle detonated near his home in Kabul’s Macroryan neighbourhood in November 2020. Siawash was a well-known face on the network TOLO News, where he hosted the current-affairs programme Farakhabar between 2010 and 2015, earning widespread respect for his bold, insightful interviews with political and religious figures who often avoided public scrutiny.
Born in 1984 in Kohistan district of Kapisa province, Siawash combined intellect and eloquence, holding a law degree from Noida International University in India while pursuing his passion for literature and poetry. His journalistic work stood out for its critical examination of corruption, governance, and extremism — topics that often placed him at odds with powerful actors.
Siawash’s death came at a perilous time for Afghan journalism. Between 2018 and 2021, at least 33 journalists and media workers were killed, many in deliberate attacks aimed at silencing independent reporting. Despite repeated promises by successive Afghan governments to investigate his killing, no perpetrators have ever been identified or prosecuted. The absence of justice has become emblematic of the deep-rooted impunity surrounding crimes against journalists in Afghanistan, where investigative failures continue to erode public trust.
His colleagues and international media-freedom organisations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have consistently urged transparent accountability. Yet five years later, the case remains stalled, mirroring the wider collapse of protections for Afghan media since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
For many, Yama Siawash’s voice represents the bravery of a generation of Afghan journalists who risked their lives to expose the truth. His assassination not only robbed Afghanistan of a fearless commentator but also symbolised the cost of speaking freely in a country still struggling to protect its truth-tellers. Remembering him today is both an act of tribute and a call for renewed resolve to defend press freedom against silence and fear.
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