RASC News Agency: The Taliban has once again issued a stern warning, asserting that any media outlets that fail to adhere to its policies will be shut down. The group demands that media organizations comply with what it describes as “Afghanistani culture,” with non-compliance leading to immediate closure. The spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture has instructed media outlets to operate according to the group’s mandates. On Sunday, January 26, Habib Ghafran, a Taliban official, stated in an interview with the Taliban-controlled national television that any media outlets violating the imposed regulations will face suspension by the Commission for Media Violations. Ghafran emphasized that adhering to what the Taliban defines as “Afghanistani culture” is essential for media operations. He further underscored that those who fail to conform to these principles will not be allowed to function.
Previously, the Taliban re-established the Commission for Media Complaints and Violations, which many exiled Afghanistani journalists view as a tool for censorship and suppression of independent journalism. Journalists have raised concerns that the Taliban is imposing stringent restrictions, aiming to broadcast only content that aligns with its rigid interpretation of culture. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, the media landscape has been severely restricted. Over the past three years, hundreds of media outlets and journalists have ceased operations due to the group’s limitations. Additionally, numerous journalists have been detained and subjected to imprisonment.
A recent report from the Afghanistan Journalists Center reveals that 181 cases of media rights violations have been documented this year, including 130 instances of threats and 51 arrests of journalists. The Taliban’s oppressive actions toward the media have effectively silenced dissent, further restricting freedom of expression and undermining press independence in Afghanistan.
