KABUL, Afghanistan — Female journalists are frequently excluded from press conferences organized by the Taliban or relegated to the back of the room, according to a new United Nations report covering October to December 2024.
The report revealed that some Taliban officials refuse to speak with or grant interviews to women, further restricting their ability to work effectively in journalism.
“Women in media are subject to additional restrictions by the de facto authorities and have more difficulties accessing information than their male counterparts,” the report stated, noting that female journalists are often confined to office duties as a result.
Diminished media freedom
The report highlighted a significant decline in media freedoms since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, citing increasing interference in media content and the internal operations of news outlets. A loss of revenue and the withdrawal of international donor support have compounded these challenges.
The Taliban dismissed the report’s findings. On November 26, a spokesperson claimed “no media were subjected to violations,” while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the report “not objective” and rejected its conclusions.
Impact of the PVPV law
The enforcement of the Taliban’s Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV) Law has further curtailed press freedoms, the report noted. The law mandates that content adhere to Sharia, avoid insulting Muslims, and exclude images of living beings.
Several media outlets have been forced to suspend programming due to these restrictions. The Taliban’s enforcement of the law includes awareness campaigns, public guidance, and active monitoring by inspectors.
The U.N. documented numerous instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions under the PVPV Law, including the arrest of men for trimming their beards shorter than a fist length, barbers for giving “unapproved” haircuts, and individuals for playing music or taking photos at weddings.
The report underscores the increasing difficulties faced by Afghan journalists, particularly women, in accessing information and exercising their profession under Taliban rule. The U.N. called for immediate measures to protect media freedoms and ensure equal access to information for all journalists.
