The report documented at least 172 incidents affecting journalists with 22 media outlets forced to cease operations due to Taliban restrictions imposed over the past year.
This statement was originally published on afjc.media on 16 March 2025.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has released its annual report on the state of media freedom in Afghanistan for the 1403 solar year (March 21, 2024 – March 20, 2025), revealing a troubling intensification in the repression of media freedoms. The report shows a 24% increase in incidents violating the rights of journalists compared to the previous year.
Documented violations include at least 172 incidents affecting journalists and media rights, with 22 media outlets forced to cease operations due to new restrictions imposed by the Taliban authorities. Additionally, 50 journalists and media workers have been detained.
The report underscores the ongoing suppression of media freedom under the Taliban’s ambiguous media policies. Within the de facto authorities, there exists a notable divide: some officials from the Ministry of Information and Culture acknowledge the relevance of pre-Taliban media laws from the republic government, suggesting minor amendments are underway. In contrast, a more hardline faction rejects these laws and seeks to impose stricter controls through extralegal directives.
The AFJC report highlights the extensive powers granted to morality police under the new “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law, allowing them to regulate public conduct, including the operations of media outlets. This has resulted in increased oversight and direct action against journalists and media organizations.
In 1403, authorities issued at least five new directives that further constrain media operations. These include prohibitions on live broadcasting of political and economic programs, restrictions on producing and airing critical content regarding de facto laws and policies, bans on inviting guests to media programs without de facto authorities’ approval, and a requirement for media to use the terms “martyr” and “martyrdom” when reporting on the deaths of de facto authorities.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, at least 17 directives that contravene existing media law have been issued, imposing significant restrictions on media operations. Violations of these directives have led to threats, imprisonment, and punitive actions against both journalists and media outlets.
Despite the alarming increase in documented violations, a positive note in the report is the absence of targeted attacks on media personnel or outlets in 1403. In the previous year, the AFJC recorded 139 incidents of rights violations, including 80 threats and 59 detentions.
For the full report, please visit this link
