Journalists Support Organization: Taliban's Restrictions on Social Media are a Threat to Freedom of Expression

Photo: Shah Marai/AFP

The Journalists Support Organization in Afghanistan has expressed concern over the recent statements made by officials from the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice regarding the legal prosecution of social media use. The organization described this action as a serious threat to freedom of expression and journalistic activities.

In a statement released, the organization emphasized that imposing such restrictions on cyberspace not only diminishes media freedom but also represents a clear violation of human rights and media sovereignty.

In its statement, the Journalists Support Organization called the Taliban's action a direct threat to freedom of expression and urged international organizations, human rights groups, and the global community to take action to protect freedom of expression and media activities in Afghanistan.

The organization also called on media outlets, journalists, and social media activists to protect themselves against these threats and prioritize their digital security to continue their online activities.

The Journalists Support Organization further urged human rights organizations, international bodies, and other related institutions to support freedom of expression in Afghanistan during this "sensitive period" and to provide legal and humanitarian assistance to protect media activists from similar threats.

This comes after the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice previously announced that the unlawful use of social media would result in legal prosecution; a statement that sparked widespread reactions from human rights organizations and media activists.