Press freedom in Afghanistan has faced increased repression over the past year, with journalist and media violations surging by 24% compared to the previous year, according to a report by the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC).
The report recorded 172 press freedom violations, including the arrest of 50 journalists and the shutdown of 22 media outlets under tightened Taliban restrictions. While most detainees were released after brief detentions, 10 remain imprisoned, with four serving sentences of two to three years.
The AFJC highlights a growing divide within the Taliban regarding media policy. While some officials in the Ministry of Information and Culture advocate for a modified version of the previous Republic-era media law, a hardline faction seeks total ideological control, issuing extra-legal directives to restrict press freedom further.
A key factor in the intensified crackdown is the Taliban’s implementation of the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” (PVPV) law in 2023, which grants religious police (hisbah) broad authority over media content. Working alongside the Taliban’s intelligence agency, these forces dictate reporting guidelines and take direct action against journalists who fail to comply. The report notes that the Media Complaints Commission, which previously oversaw media-related disputes, has been sidelined or aligned with the regime’s hardline elements.
In the past year, at least five new directives have been issued to Afghan media, imposing tighter content restrictions. These include:
- A ban on broadcasting live political and economic discussions.
- Prohibition of programs that criticize Taliban policies.
- Mandatory pre-approval for all program guests before airing interviews.
- A requirement to refer to Taliban casualties as “martyrs” in news reports.
- Restrictions on broadcasting images of living beings, enforced in at least six provinces.
These new restrictions come on top of 17 previous directives imposed since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, further eroding press freedom. Journalists and media outlets that fail to adhere to these rules face threats, arrests, or suspension.
The AFJC warns that the Taliban’s increasing grip on the media threatens to eradicate independent journalism in Afghanistan. With growing use of religious policing, arbitrary detentions, and sweeping content restrictions, Afghan journalists face unprecedented risks.
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