Reporters Without Borders: The Imposition of Taliban Ideology on Media in Afghanistan Has Increased

In a statement released on Friday (15 November), the organization emphasized that over the past two weeks, the Taliban had suspended the activities of three radio stations in Khost, accusing them of violating the group's new "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law.

The statement reads: "The crackdown on local radios in Khost reflects the increase of Taliban-imposed ideologies on the media."

It is noted that, in the past two weeks, broadcasts from Gharghasht, Long, and Zhaman radios in Khost have been stopped by the Taliban. Among these, Gharghasht and Long radios have been allowed to resume their activities, provided they comply with the Taliban’s regulations.

Reporters Without Borders has called on the Taliban’s Minister of Information and Culture to end the "oppression and pressure" the group is exerting on freedom of information.

Sallya Mercy, the South Asia director of the organization, added: "Since their return to Afghanistan, the Taliban have carried out a brutal crackdown on the country’s media, silencing all independent voices and plunging the country into a silence created by fear."

In recent months, the Taliban has intensified its restrictions on journalists and media. The group has repeatedly asked media officials to broadcast content supporting the Taliban regime.

Earlier, international organizations supporting journalists had expressed concerns about the Taliban's increased restrictions on journalists and media.