The radical transformation of the Afghan press

After 2001, with the change of direction in Afghanistan's history and the broad involvement of the international community, press freedom in the country flourished in an unprecedented way. More than 500 media outlets were active in the country, and although press freedom was relative, it was acceptable and workable. A notable feature from this boom period was the prominence of women and diversity within the media, which contributed to the dynamism and richness of the content.

But after August 2021, the Afghan media landscape underwent a radical transformation. According to data collected by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA), 231 media outlets have closed down since the Taliban seizure of power and 6,400 journalists and other media personnel have lost their jobs. Female journalists were hit hardest, with four in five women losing their jobs. Hundreds of journalists fled to Europe, the US, Canada and neighbouring countries such as Iran and Pakistan.

For the journalists left behind, the situation is getting tougher by the day. In the past three years, 220 arrests of journalists have been recorded, and in the past year alone, more than 50 journalists have been jailed, with no hope of release. Afghanistan has always been a dangerous country for journalists over the past two decades, due to war and traditional restrictions; 120 journalists have been killed during this period.

In exile

Following the demise of independent media in Afghanistan, some media outlets have remained active in exile. Afghanistan International TV and Amo TV now broadcast from the UK and the US. Newspapers such as 8 Sobh, Etilaat Roz and Rah-e-Madaniyat continue to publish online to provide the public with independent information. BBC Persian continues to report on Afghanistan and tries to make the voices of the oppressed heard.

Meanwhile, social media has become a powerful tool for revealing the truth. Information and videos of events inside Afghanistan are shared without interference and censorship. Recently, the circulation of a video in which a Taliban official in Herat raped a woman led to a wave of public outrage. People continue to report, both directly and indirectly, on the reality under the Taliban regime and refuse to accept the dictatorship.

Press freedom held hostage

Yet this is not enough. Society needs professional, free and independent journalism, but this space no longer exists. Domestic media are only allowed to publish news after approval from the Taliban leadership. Women appear on screen with covered faces and news is distorted and manipulated according to their wishes. Never before has Afghan journalism been so deeply humiliated and repressed as it is now. In this stifling environment, all entertainment programmes and music have been scrapped, and their place has been taken by Taliban ideological and religious programmes. In a country that had one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic media sectors in the region for the past 20 years, press freedom is now completely hostage.

This article previously appeared in 360 Magazine.