Media Censorship Peaks In The Second Year Following The Taliban's Return

Over the last two decades, Afghanistan has significantly expanded its media landscape and upheld freedom of expression-an essential cornerstone of open societies. During this period, the media has provided a platform for journalists to inform the public, advocate for freedom of expression, and analyze the profound interplay between politics, people's lives, and society.

Research and reports about the media landscape under the Taliban rule show that they have imposed stricter controls on media, despite their initial commitments. They now oversee media institutions, curate content, and prohibit news that goes against their ideology. These actions have led to restrictions on freedom of expression.

According to a 2018 report by the Afghanistan Media Center, 130 journalists lost their lives over the past two decades. These numbers highlight the perilous conditions journalists face. Nevertheless, the media has shown remarkable growth despite these challenges.

After 2001, before the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the country boasted over 526 mass media outlets encompassing video, audio, print media, news agencies, and online platforms.

These media establishments collectively employed 7,746 male reporters, 2,138
female reporters, and 4,110 media personnel of both genders.

After August 15, 2021, following the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, over half of the media outlets shuttered due to economic challenges and restrictions. Violence against journalists, unemployment in the journalistic sector, insufficient funding for media
operations, expulsions of journalists, curtailed freedom of expression, constraints on female journalists, arrests of media personnel, and restricted access to information emerged as critical issues, shaping the landscape of Afghan media.

During the past two years, Afghan organizations and media institutions have reported declining media activity and a deteriorating situation for journalists, particularly females.

Speaking with Khama Press, Zarif Karimi, head of Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan (NAI), expressed concern about the ongoing constraints on journalists. He underscored that freedom of expression, information access, and the state of journalists in Afghanistan have encountered significant hurdles over the last two years. He believes that if this situation persists, it could push the media to the brink of collapse.

Based on Afghanistan's Free Media Support Organization (NAI), over the past two years, over 50% of Afghan media outlets have shut down. Additionally, around 70% of journalists and media personnel, including female professionals, have lost their jobs.

According to the organization reports, before the Taliban took power, active media in the country dwindled significantly, with television channels dropping from 160 to 70, radios from 311 to 181, print media going from 43 to none, news agencies reduced from 26 to 11, and online media decreasing from 21 to 14.
In his inaugural press conference, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson of the caretaker administration, emphasized their approach towards media, stating,“Our media engagement will adhere to principles, ensuring the freedom and independence of all private media.”

Afghanistan's media professionals and journalists have consistently urged global support for their industry. Despite these pleas, credible media support organizations have noted a troubling 54% surge in violence and threats targeting journalists. A staggering 213 cases encompassing violence, threats, and journalist detentions have been documented in the past year alone.

The Center of Afghan Journalists further details 26 incidents of physical violence, alongside 115 instances of threats and 70 cases of journalist arrests.

Over the past two years, restrictions against journalists, especially women, have escalated in Afghanistan, leading to arrests, beatings, lack of information access, censorship, and violence against media personnel.

Zarif Karimi, head of Afghanistan's Free Media Support Office, expressed grave
concern to Khaama Press about journalists' ongoing“unprincipled” treatment. He revealed that five journalists and media workers were apprehended in Afghanistan in the preceding week alone.

Mr Karimi warned that the continued detention of journalists in the country could imminently push freedom of expression, information access, and journalistic efforts to collapse.

Simultaneously, Afghan media professionals highlight the prevailing“economic challenges and restricted information access” as significant issues journalists and media entities face.

Conversely, women journalists have borne the brunt of reduced media activity and community engagement in the past two years. data reveal a stark gender imbalance, with merely 5% of media journalists being women.

Nevertheless, several female journalists who lost their positions affirm that they struggled to secure employment within the national media landscape for two years, primarily due to heightened constraints.

Sohaila Gulistani, an Afghan woman journalist with two years of experience, discussed her journey with Khaama Press. As a journalist, she enjoyed financial stability for herself and her family and mental well-being.

However, circumstances changed drastically when she was confined to her home against her will for two years. This isolation led to challenging mental and economic conditions.

Ms Gulistani highlighted the significance of gender balance in journalism. She stressed that the media holds the same importance as universities and schools.

Restricting media access to only men results in ignorance about the experiences and issues half of society face.

She notes that all female journalists who worked alongside him before the Taliban took control have faced job losses. Many have sought refuge in countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Europe, while others have abandoned journalism due to security concerns.

Expressing concern, the reporter states that if the current situation persists, she too
might be compelled to leave the country.

Gulistani emphasizes that excluding women from the media means silencing their voices in discussions about their rights. She envisions a future devoid of discrimination, fostering an environment of unrestricted work opportunities.

After August 15, 2021, numerous journalists migrated to countries including Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and India. Security threats, economic challenges, and job losses prompted this move.

These immigrants, facing two years of economic turmoil, have consistently voiced complaints and staged protests regarding the insufficient support from global organizations.

According to the Organization for the Protection of Journalists, over 250 journalists and media personnel have sought refuge in Pakistan, with more than 50 in India and over 70 in Iran. These individuals are living in exile alongside their families.

Media is vital for constructive criticism, rational thinking promotion, and public awareness raising. Its role in society involves informing, advocating values, moulding public opinions, and fostering interactions between individuals and the community. However, media's
functioning in Afghanistan has been significantly hindered.

Removing restrictions on public information, ensuring journalist security, lifting barriers to female journalists' participation in national assemblies, promoting balanced media reporting, enacting and enforcing public media and access to information laws, and establishing a media oversight commission are vital steps to enhance the media landscape and journalist conditions in the country.

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