Taliban Tighten Restrictions on Media, Revoke Licenses of Media Outlets and Support Organizations

Taliban Tighten Restrictions on Media, Revoke Licenses of Media Outlets and Support Organizations
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Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture, under the Taliban administration, announced on Monday, the revocation of licenses for several media institutions, along with most organizations that support media outlets in the country, citing alleged “unprofessional practices” and the “misuse of journalists’ names.”

In a statement, the ministry said the decisions followed the receipt of unspecified “complaints,” without clarifying their nature or identifying the media organizations affected. The ministry described the activities of some outlets as “ineffective” and claimed it had renewed the licenses of only three media organizations, without disclosing their names or the criteria used for renewal.

In a parallel move, the ministry also announced the cancellation of operating licenses for nearly all media support organizations, extending permission for only three to continue operating. It alleged that the closed organizations had “created additional problems” and “damaged the international reputation of Afghan media,” rather than addressing the challenges facing journalists and media institutions. No details were provided regarding the organizations whose licenses were revoked or renewed, with authorities stating only that some entities were “inactive.”

The latest measures come amid continued restrictions on Afghanistan’s media sector since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Dozens of independent media outlets have been shut down, and hundreds of journalists—many of them women—have been forced out of work, leading to a significant contraction of media activity nationwide.

Journalists and media activists have also raised concerns over allegations that some remaining institutions have cooperated with Taliban authorities, including claims of involvement in the pursuit or detention of journalists, prompting questions about media independence and public trust.

Observers warn that revoking licenses based on vague standards such as “lack of professionalism,” without transparency or disclosure of affected entities, creates an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty and heightens concerns about the monopolization of the media landscape and the silencing of critical voices in Afghanistan.