RASC News Agency: Rahmatullah Nariwal, Head of Information Access within the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture, announced that local spokespersons of the group are barred from discussing security issues with the media. Nariwal made this statement on Monday, September 16, during a coordination meeting between provincial spokespersons and media officials held in Herat.
He clarified that Taliban provincial spokespersons are forbidden from disclosing matters related to security, confidential information, or any issues that could undermine the group’s interests. Nariwal stressed that all spokespersons must strictly adhere to the group’s policies when interacting with journalists. In addition, Ahmadullah Muttaqi, Head of Information and Culture for Herat, stated that the Taliban must vigorously counter “rumors, cultural assaults, and the negative propaganda of Western media.” The Taliban frequently label Afghanistan media outlets operating in exile, which oppose their policies and reflect the ground realities of Afghanistani society, as “Western.”
Since their return to power, the Taliban has enforced severe restrictions on journalists and media organizations. A major challenge for journalists has been the lack of access to information. Earlier this month, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s elusive leader, warned that central spokespersons are only authorized to issue political statements that have received his explicit approval.
