Half of the country's media outlets have ceased operations since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
This statement was originally published on afjc.media on 9 April 2025.
Paris, France – A group of Afghan journalists in exile has officially launched “Future Afghanistan,” an online media platform aimed at providing independent reporting on the situation in Afghanistan. Founded and led by Shafi Karimi, the outlet seeks to deliver comprehensive multimedia content that adheres to journalistic integrity.
In a statement to the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), Karimi emphasized the platform’s commitment to utilizing a blend of text, images, video, and audio to engage audiences worldwide. Currently available in both Persian and English, Future Afghanistan plans to expand its offerings with a Pashto section in the near future.
The publication will focus not only on domestic news events but also on investigative and analytical reporting, creating a space for Afghan voices to share their narratives regarding the country’s current challenges.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, approximately half of Afghanistan’s media outlets have ceased operations, largely due to stringent restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities and the ongoing economic crisis. As a result, many journalists have sought refuge abroad, primarily in Western nations. In this context, numerous online and satellite media initiatives have emerged, spearheaded by expatriate journalists dedicated to covering Afghanistan.
AFJC welcomes the launch of Future Afghanistan, recognizing the urgent need for free media outside of Afghanistan amid escalating workplace restrictions and severe limitations on information access within the country.
AFJC expresses hope that Future Afghanistan will contribute to a diverse and balanced discourse surrounding Afghanistan, offering timely, impartial information to audiences both locally and globally.
