Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Taliban tightens control of media with new programming restrictions

Failure to comply with these directives could result in consequences for both media outlets and individuals.

• September 24, 2024
Taliban men
Taliban men[Credit: Georgetown Journal of International Affairs]

The Taliban government has issued new directives to media outlets in Kabul that prohibit live broadcasts of political programmes and criticise its laws and policies.

According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), media outlets are now required to pre-record programmes, submit guest lists for approval, and censor content critical of the Taliban policies.

Failure to comply with these directives could result in consequences for both media outlets and individuals.

AFJC expressed deep concern over the new directives, viewing them as “another attempt to weaken and suppress free media” in Afghanistan.

The organisation has recorded at least 21 media directives imposed by the Taliban since their return to power in August 2021 that have “significantly” curtailed media freedom. 

(dpa/NAN)

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