AFJC annual report: Over 60 journalists arrested, 168 violations of journalist rights in Afghanistan

The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) says in an annual report that in 2023, 168 incidents of journalists’ rights violations occurred in Afghanistan, including the arrest of 61 journalists by the Taliban.

The center highlighted that these incidents predominantly involved killings, injuries, and threats against journalists by the Taliban.

The report outlined severe restrictions imposed on the media and journalists by the Taliban, including widespread rights violations. At least 14 media directives, some issued in 2023, formed the basis of these restrictions.

The report also mentioned bans on media interviewing Taliban critics, broadcasting international programs, publishing politically sensitive advertisements without authority approval, criticizing Taliban officials, and cooperating with “banned media.”