Press freedom in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly since the Taliban took power, with journalists facing increased threats, censorship, and violence.
According to a recent report by the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), violations against media professionals under Taliban rule have surged by 24 percent.
Since March 2024, there have been 181 recorded violations against journalists. These include 131 cases of threats and 50 arrests. Over 22 incidents involved the suspension or closure of media outlets.
10 journalists remain behind bars, with four sentenced to 2-3 years in prison. In 2023, AFJC documented 139 media rights violations, including 80 threats and 59 arrests.
Nearly four years after the Taliban takeover, media freedom has been severely curtailed, with raids on offices, arrests, and forced closures of media outlets.
Previously, Amnesty International urged the Taliban to end their crackdown on free expression and halt mistreatment of journalists. However, attacks on media professionals have escalated to alarming levels.
The Taliban’s repressive policies have created a dark chapter for Afghan journalism, silencing dissent and pushing independent media to the brink of extinction.
