The Taliban have shut down 18 media outlets and detained 50 journalists in the past year, according to the media watchdog the Afghanistan Journalists Center’s annual report.
At least five journalists have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to five years and remain in prison, while of the 18 media outlets, only four have been allowed to resume operations so far.
The media watchdog reported an 8 percent increase in the suppression of media freedoms in 2024 compared to last year.
According to the report, 181 cases of violations against media and journalists have been registered, including 131 cases of threats.
The Taliban’s vice and virtue ministry imposed extensive restrictions on media, including the ban on broadcasting live images, taking female listeners’ calls, live political programs, and the use of the terms “martyr” and “martyrdom” while covering the Taliban casualties.
The media watchdog expressed concern over the ongoing restrictions and media repression, urging international organizations to take immediate action to support media freedom in Afghanistan.
