Taliban have methodically turned Afghanistan into prison for information, says media watchdog
Kabul, Aug 10
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said on Monday that the Taliban has turned Afghanistan into a prison for information in the past five years, with each new directive further shrinking the space for journalists and independent media.
Since seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has issued more than 20 national directives and several provincial decrees aimed at dismantling press freedom in the country, a statement released by RSF mentioned asserting that.the decrees, directives and orders communicated verbally by the Taliban have stifled the media landscape in Afghanistan.
"Journalism is increasingly throttled as criticism of the regime is forbidden, women face sweeping restrictions, political debate has been silenced, and broadcasting images of living beings is banned. Reporters Without Borders calls for an end to this crackdown," read the statement.
The RSF said another line was crossed in January 2026 as the Taliban secretly adopted a Code of Criminal Procedure for the courts, the text of which emerged due to a leak. Although the code does not mention the press, however, it offers no protection for media professionals and does not exempt them from the code, leaving them exposed to legal threats and severe penalties, including imprisonment.
The new code provides for prison terms and flogging for insulting Taliban leadership, effectively criminalising any criticism of the authorities. The new code also punishes contact with opponents of the government.
"In five years, the Taliban have methodically turned Afghanistan into a prison for information. Every new directive further shrinks the space for journalists and independent media. The ban on criticism is now written into law, formally codifying censorship. Women journalists have been all but erased, debate has been silenced, and every independent voice is prosecuted. By criminalising media professionals, the de facto authorities are seeking absolute control over the flow of information," said Celia Mercier, head of RSF South Asia Desk.
She added that RSF calls for the repeal of every provision that restricts press freedom in Afghanistan. She noted that hundreds of Afghan journalists have been forced to flee the country to escape repression in Afghanistan, save their lives, and continue their work. She urged host countries to recognise the scale of this crackdown and the danger that deportation or forced return poses to these media professionals.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The situation in Afghanistan is a stark reminder of what happens when extremism goes unchecked. The code of criminal procedure that criminalizes criticism is essentially a death blow to any independent voice. India's own history with press freedom should make us empathize with the Afghan people.
It's devastating to see how quickly press freedom can be dismantled. The Taliban's ban on broadcasting images of living beings is particularly concerning - it's like going back to the dark ages. 😐 We need international pressure on this immediately.
While I agree this is concerning, we must also remember that Afghanistan is a sovereign nation. The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law may seem harsh to us, but imposing Western concepts of press freedom without understanding local context has historically caused more problems. Perhaps a more nuanced approach is needed, though I do hope Afghan journalists find safety.
These are not just Afghan issues - this is a global threat to democracy. When information is controlled, misinformation and extremism thrive. India, as a neighbor and a democratic nation, should seriously consider how we can support independent Afghan media and journalists who are risking their lives daily to report the truth.
The situation is grim but reporting just on the Taliban ignores the complex reality on the ground. Afghanistan has been in conflict for decades now. The international community, including India, should have dealt with this situation more proactively from the start instead of leaving a power vacuum that extremists filled. Now we see the results.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.