Taliban Bans Media from Publishing Images of Living Beings in Three More Provinces

The Taliban has imposed a ban on media outlets in Badakhshan, Baghlan, and Nimroz provinces of Afghanistan, prohibiting the publication of images of living beings, including animals, Khaama Press reported. This directive was communicated to local media via voice messages on March 7, 2025, by the Taliban’s Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center, local media leaders were summoned and warned of consequences for non-compliance with the ban, which is based on the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law. With this latest restriction, the total number of provinces where such bans are enforced has risen to ten.

The ongoing suppression of media freedom under the Taliban has reversed years of progress in journalistic expression, leading to increased self-censorship and stringent oversight. Media outlets face significant challenges, including the promotion of religious fundamentalism and limited space for critical viewpoints, severely impacting independent journalism in Afghanistan.