The UN Human Rights Office and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) have called on the Afghanistan de facto authorities, urging them to uphold media freedom amidst increasing repression.
Journalists are among the majority that face censorship, violence, and severe working restrictions, especially women. This issue is evident as the advent of the Taliban’s renewed control over Afghanistan has seen the rights of journalists come under relentless attack, with harassment, arrests, and censorship becoming commonplace.
This hostility towards the media under the Taliban regime has prompted the UN to issue a report, beckoning the de facto authorities to uphold media freedom—a necessity of democratic societies. Speaking on the issue, Volker Türk, the UN Human Rights Chief, says the measures established directly contravene Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights treaties, of which the nation is a signatory.
The report, which covered happenings between 15 August 2021 and 30 September 2024, provided insight into a trend of human rights violations: 256 documented cases of arbitrary journalist detention, 130 cases of torture and ill-treatment, and 75 cases of threats or intimidation. The report also shows that several media outlets have, since August 2021, ceased operations in Afghanistan due to pressure from the Taliban, the nation’s economic decline, and the withdrawal of funding from donors.
In addition, media workers have sought to further their careers abroad, exacerbating the shortage of experienced journalists in the country. The de facto authorities have actively interfered in and closely monitored the work of foreign journalists working for international media.
A Decline in Media Freedom
The de facto authorities, on 19 September 2021, issued an 11-point media guidance banning content that conflicts with their interpretation of Islam, Afghan culture, or national interests. The restrictions prohibit broadcasting music or films viewed as against Sharia law, especially those featuring women.
Media offices must enforce gender segregation, with men and women broadcasters barred from appearing together. In some provinces, women cannot participate in radio programs except on health or religious topics specific to women.
Additionally, media outlets have been ordered to cease live political talk shows, requiring pre-recorded content to allow for editing of any criticism of the authorities. Talk show panelists must be pre-approved from an official list, and any deviation requires prior permission. Likewise, discussion topics must also receive approval.
The de facto authorities have also excluded women journalists from press events and interviews, often favoring male journalists. Women stood barred from entering, relegated to the back of rooms, or not invited to key events such as World Press Freedom Day in May 2023 and the academic year opening ceremony in March 2024, with excuses such as “lack of space” cited for their exclusion.
Still, despite the restrictions, Afghanistan’s journalists demonstrate remarkable courage. Some work covertly, risking everything to ensure the flow of information. Their bravery is not just a local issue but a global inspiration.
Citing media freedom as more than a principle, the UN’s message is clear: Afghanistan must reverse its course, safeguard its journalists, and reclaim its position as a nation committed to truth and transparency.