The Taliban has issued a verbal order instructing all private television stations in Afghanistan to cease airing political programs, according to local sources.
The Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization (AJSO) has strongly condemned the new directive in a public Facebook post, saying it’s a direct violation of freedom of expression and media rights.
The AJSO said limiting political programming deprives citizens of access to crucial information about the ongoing political situation both within Afghanistan and globally.
The organization has called on international bodies, human rights groups, and media advocates to raise their voices against these restrictions and to continue protect the rights of journalists and media in Afghanistan.
In a report released February 13 to mark World Radio Day, the AJSO said the Taliban had recently shut down operations of at least seven radio stations and arrested six media workers.
Similarly, Free Speech Hub released a statement February 13 that since the Taliban return to power, 133 radio stations have ceased operations across Afghanistan.
The Taliban has imposed severe media restrictions since taking Kabul in 2021, leading to the shutdown of hundreds of television broadcast, audio, and print media outlets in Afghanistan.
