The Taliban has implemented new restrictions on Afghanistan's media, prohibiting the live broadcast of political programs and current affairs shows, Amu reported. This decision was reportedly made during a meeting between media representatives and Taliban officials on September 21, as confirmed by a source from the Afghanistan Journalists Safety Committee.
For the upcoming week, political programs will need to be pre-recorded before airing, according to the source. Additionally, the Taliban's intelligence agency has introduced a list of approved experts for media appearances, directing outlets to refrain from inviting regime critics.
“A meeting was held with media officials, and the ban was accepted for a week. Further discussions are expected before a final decision is made,” stated the Afghanistan Journalists Safety Committee.
Media sources informed Amu TV that the Taliban, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Culture, has warned outlets against airing any criticisms of the regime.
“Journalists are now facing both government censorship and self-censorship,” said Mustafa Shahryar, a journalist. “Experts avoid speaking the truth out of fear of repercussions.”
The restrictions have sparked outrage among press freedom advocates and political commentators. The Afghan Journalists Support Organization denounced the ban on live political broadcasts as a severe infringement on press freedom, highlighting the Taliban's efforts to install trusted individuals in media appearances.
Nusrat Mansoor, a former host of political programs, stated, “Every day, the Taliban’s growing restrictions are destroying any hope for freedom of expression in Afghanistan. The international community must recognize that these actions are silencing the voices of the Afghan people.”
Journalists across Afghanistan report facing extensive limitations, which hinder their ability to report critically on the regime. “There are so many restrictions now, and even though we gather information, we often can’t broadcast it,” said Basira, a journalist. “We are forced to air only what we are told.”
In addition to limiting political discourse, Taliban authorities are pressuring media outlets to avoid specific terms, pushing for the removal of words like “university,” “court,” and “army chief” in favor of their preferred language. Some outlets have complied with these demands, refraining from using the banned terminology in recent broadcasts.
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