Afghan Journalists on the Brink of Silence: Mounting Pressure and Media Erosion Under Taliban Rule

Photo by AP

On World Press Freedom Day, international and domestic organizations have expressed deep concern over the worsening situation of media and journalists in Afghanistan. Findings indicate that over the past year, restrictions and threats against independent media outlets and journalists have increased at an unprecedented rate.

According to a report by the Afghanistan Journalists Center, from May 2024 to the present, more than 215 cases of press freedom violations have been recorded, including 175 threats and 40 journalist arrests. This figure represents a 58 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Among those arrested, 10 journalists remain in prison, seven of whom have been sentenced to jail terms ranging from 7 months to 3 years.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a statement, declared that free and independent media in the country are gradually deteriorating. According to UNAMA, Taliban-imposed restrictions and economic pressure pose a serious threat to the sustainability of media operations.

Roza Otunbayeva, Head of UNAMA, emphasized in her message for World Press Freedom Day that a diverse and independent media sector is essential for transparency, public trust, and accountable governance.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, in a video message, called for the immediate release of imprisoned journalists and warned that female journalists are particularly vulnerable to discrimination, violence, and arbitrary detention. He urged the international community to support Afghan journalists, especially those living in exile.

At the same time, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, stated, “The freedom of people depends on the freedom of expression. When journalists cannot report freely, we all suffer.”

This comes as Reporters Without Borders has ranked Afghanistan 175th out of 180 countries in its latest World Press Freedom Index. The organization warned that political pressure, security threats, and economic crises are among the main factors weakening media freedom globally.

Currently, Afghan journalists and media outlets are not only facing severe censorship and the risk of arrest but are also struggling with an escalating economic crisis. Many outlets have been forced to shut down their operations.