Taliban Destroying Independent Journalism in Afghanistan

Taliban Destroying Independent Journalism in Afghanistan
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The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has warned that the Taliban are systematically suppressing and destroying independent media in Afghanistan. According to a report by the Shia Waves Agency, citing BBC, the IFJ stated that more than half of the country’s media outlets have been shut down since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. In 2024 alone, at least 22 media outlets were blocked.

The report indicates that journalists are facing violence, arrest, harassment, and threats, with severe restrictions being placed on women in the media. The media freedom index shows that Afghanistan has fallen 44 places to rank 178th globally, reflecting the extremely fragile state of independent journalism.

Media rights activists have warned that this trend not only limits freedom of expression but also places the information available to the Afghan people under strict Taliban control, which will have widespread social and cultural consequences.