RASC News Agency: The Afghanistani Journalists’ Support Organization has criticized the Taliban’s recent decision to ban the “live broadcast” of political programs by the media, calling the move “oppressive.” In a statement, the organization revealed that the Taliban have also begun appointing their own “trusted experts” to be featured in media outlets across Afghanistan. The organization condemned these new restrictions as another form of censorship and a serious violation of press freedom and freedom of expression. The group expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s actions and urged all organizations supporting free speech, the media, and human rights to take a firm and clear stand against the Taliban’s “oppressive” policies.
The statement emphasized, “It is essential that the international community and relevant organizations do not remain silent in the face of this suppression and take effective measures to support independent media and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.” In a recent meeting between Taliban officials and media representatives, the Taliban declared that no media outlet is allowed to broadcast content critical of their policies and laws.
Under the Taliban’s new decision, the topics of political discussions must be shared with and approved by the group’s officials before being aired. Domestic media are now prohibited from holding political discussions without prior approval from the Taliban. At the same time, the Taliban provided a list of 68 approved experts to the media, instructing them to invite only these individuals to participate in political programs.
