Taliban intelligence forces raided the offices of Arezo Television in Kabul on Wednesday, detaining four staff members, according to a source who spoke to Amu.
The reason for the raid remains unclear, and the Taliban have not commented on the incident.
Media crackdown escalates
Over the past three years, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on media operations across Afghanistan. In one of their latest actions, they have banned the broadcasting of images of living beings in six provinces, including Kandahar, Helmand, Takhar, Badghis, and Nangarhar.
The prohibition is part of the Taliban’s morality law, which outlaw the depiction of any living creatures.
According to the latest report from Reporters Without Borders, Afghanistan ranks 178th out of 180 countries in press freedom for 2024, one of the lowest positions globally.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, over 300 media outlets have ceased operations, according to the Free Expression Home, leaving a void in the country’s once-thriving media landscape.
The United Nations has also expressed concern about the growing restrictions on media and journalists. In a recent report, the U.N. called on the Taliban to ensure the safety and freedom of media personnel. The report warned against increasing censorship, intimidation, and limited access to information under Taliban rule.
