On World Press Freedom Day, the dire state of media freedom in Afghanistan has come under focus as journalists and media organizations express deep concern over increased restrictions and violence against the press.
Since the Taliban regained control of the country, hundreds of media outlets have ceased operations, thousands of journalists have been forced out of work or to flee the country, and access to information has become increasingly difficult. The situation is particularly worrying for female media workers, as thousands have left the profession.
Hujatullah Mujadadi, Chair of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), addressed an event in Kabul marking World Press Freedom Day and noted that out of 601 active media outlets, 225 became inactive shortly after the Taliban took control due to economic issues and imposed restrictions.
Mujadadi added that out of 12,000 journalists and media workers, 1,000 fled the country, and around 7,000 lost their jobs. The number of female journalists has been reduced from 2,800 to only 500 still working in the country’s media.
According to Mujadadi, around 20 media outlets resumed operations and five new ones were established during the nearly two years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan. However, at least ten outlets, including a news agency, two television channels, and seven radio stations, have shut down.
He said that obtaining information has grown increasingly challenging as the Taliban spokespersons have decreased cooperation with journalists, significantly impacting the media’s work.
Mujadadi also urged the Taliban authorities to guarantee the life and mental safety of journalists, calling for the media violations commission to be independent of the de facto authorities and for laws to protect the media and journalists.
Zarif Karimi, head of Afghanistan’s Free Media Watch (NAI), also spoke out on World Press Freedom Day, stating that violence against journalists has surged.
Karimi said that nearly half of the country’s media stopped operating after the Taliban took control, resulting in 65 percent of journalists and media workers losing their jobs. The free operation of the media, freedom of speech, access to information, and personal and mental safety of journalists are now at risk, which could further weaken Afghanistan’s free media in the long term.
Experienced female reporter Benazir Baktash expressed her concerns about the current situation for journalists and the media, criticizing the Taliban’s treatment of journalists and calling for an end to punishment, imprisonment, and arbitrary rules.
“There has been a lot of bitterness and disorder during the nearly two years of Taliban rule over Afghanistan. We could not and cannot raise our voices in these two years,” she says.
Baktash added that multiple Taliban departments, including intelligence, the Ministry of Virtue and Vice, and the Ministry of Interior, interfere severely with media affairs and impose restrictions on their work, harassing reporters and calling them spies.
“Journalism is not a crime; it is a profession,” she said. “We should all respect each other’s profession and Taliban officials should also allow journalists to do their work freely and without fear.”
“I have witnessed the crying and sadness of journalists many times, I have witnessed the beating of journalists by the Taliban forces many times. Why? Did they commit a crime? No! They are just providing information to the people,” she said.
In support of Afghan journalists, Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, tweeted on World Press Freedom Day, praising the bravery of those who continue to report. “On World Press Freedom Day I pay tribute to Afghanistan media, above all women journalists, who continue to report despite deplorable restrictions & risks incl to their lives.”
He called on the Taliban to respect a free, pluralistic, independent, and inclusive media as a right of all Afghans.
Additionally, Hannah Newman, a member of the European Union Parliament who recently visited Kabul, criticized the Taliban’s restrictions on female journalists, stating that the group harasses them. The celebration of World Media Freedom Day in Afghanistan comes as the Taliban’s extensive restrictions on free media activities have affected all media outlets, with nearly half ceasing operations.
