Journalists in Exile: The Taliban Have Imprisoned 309 Journalists in the Past Three Years

According to the statement, these figures represent only the officially confirmed cases, and the actual number could be higher.

The statement also notes that the number of journalists and media workers arrested under Taliban rule is three times higher than the total number of such arrests during the 20-year republic period.

According to Afghan journalists in exile, 163 cases of violence against journalists and media workers were recorded in 2022, 132 cases in 2023, and 117 cases in the first five months of the current solar year.

The statement also highlights the unprecedented decline in the number of media outlets in Afghanistan, with only 35% of the previously active media outlets now operating. The number of female journalists has decreased by 95%, with only about 50 of the 1,800 female journalists from the republic era still working.

Afghan journalists in exile have expressed deep concern about the state of freedom of expression in Afghanistan, stating that the Taliban have completely destroyed the greatest achievement of the previous regime, freedom of speech.

They have called on the United Nations and international organizations supporting freedom of expression to support the Afghan media and document what is happening in the country.