Afghans who worked with British journalists during the war and whose lives are threatened by the resurgence of the Taliban will be eligible to come to the UK under a government scheme.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said that he recognised the bravery of Afghan journalists and they would be allowed to apply for sanctuary under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy.
The scheme will consider “exceptional cases” where people’s lives are under threat because of their involvement with the UK.
Although the term “UK” has previously been used to mean only British forces, diplomats and officials, it will be widened to include British media organisations.
The move is a victory for The Times and other media organisations that wrote to Downing Street requesting urgent sanctuary for Afghans who are at risk of imprisonment, torture and murder as the last British and Nato forces leave and reports grow of vengeful clearing operations by the Taliban.
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In his response, the foreign secretary said that global media freedom was a priority for the government, adding: “We recognise the bravery of Afghan journalists and those that have worked tirelessly to support them in the pursuit of media freedom and the defence of human rights. The vibrant Afghan media is one of the greatest successes in Afghanistan in the last 19 years, and it should be celebrated and protected.
“Your letter highlighted the threat faced by Afghan staff who have worked for your media organisations in Afghanistan, in particular the risk of reprisals they face from the Taliban from their association with the UK,” Raab continued.
“We believe that journalists must not face threats, injuries or death from simply doing their job of reporting on the truth.”
The letter, signed by every big newspaper and the broadcasters Sky News and ITN, had also been sent to Boris Johnson.
It read: “There is an urgent need to act quickly, as the threat to their lives is already acute and worsening.
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“If left behind, those Afghan journalists and media employees who have played such a vital role informing the British public by working for British media will be left at the risk of persecution, of physical harm, incarceration, torture, or death.”
At least 20 Afghan journalists and media workers were killed or wounded in targeted attacks between November last year and World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
Among the dead was Elyas Dayee, a reporter from Helmand who had worked with British journalists before he was killed by a bomb placed beneath his vehicle in the city of Lashkar Gah, the capital of the province.
