Kabul (Kubha News) – The Afghan Journalists’ Center voiced deep concern over the declining state of media freedom and journalist rights within Afghanistan during the last 12 months.
In its annual report released on the occasion of National Journalist’s Day, the center highlighted a troubling trend of increased pressure, threats, and restrictions faced by media personnel throughout the past year. The report underscores a systematic suppression of media freedom, with journalists encountering arrests, intimidation, and coercion from both direct and indirect sources, notably the intelligence department and the Ministry of Vice and Virtue under Taliban governance.
“Despite the issuance of media laws, directives from the Taliban government and local authorities imposed severe limitations on journalistic activities, leading to a notable escalation in incidents of rights violations. “
The report details a staggering 139 documented cases of violations against media personnel, including 80 instances of threats and 59 journalist arrests throughout last one year.
The report acknowledges a decline in targeted attacks on journalists compared to previous years, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing challenges.
Among the recorded incidents, eight cases involved media bans, ranging from the permanent closure of joint journalism training courses for men and women to temporary shutdowns of local radio stations.
The Afghan Journalists’ Center unequivocally attributes the intensifying crackdown on media freedom to the concerted efforts of Taliban Intelligence Directorate and the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, emphasizing their role in perpetuating a climate of fear and censorship.