KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban have systematically suppressed press freedom since returning to power in Afghanistan, detaining, torturing or threatening at least 336 journalists and media workers between August 2021 and September 2024, Amnesty International said in a report marking World Press Freedom Day.
The human rights organization said Saturday that Taliban authorities have intensified efforts to impose severe restrictions on the media and individual journalists across the country.
Since reclaiming power in 2021, the Taliban have shut down numerous outlets critical of their policies and imposed sweeping limitations on press activity, Amnesty said.
Amnesty added that the arrests, threats and acts of torture targeted media workers for reporting on or criticizing the Taliban’s administration.
“This environment has pushed Afghanistan among the worst countries for press freedom,” the organization stated.
The Taliban have also banned television and radio stations that broadcast critical content and severely restricted news programming, prompting many journalists to either self-censor or leave the profession entirely.
Among other repressive tactics, the Taliban have curbed live news broadcasts and interviews, drastically limiting political talk shows and introducing strict rules about who may appear in interviews, the organization said.
According to the report, Taliban have banned the filming or airing of content they deem contrary to their religious or social norms.
Amnesty International urged the international community to be aware of the Taliban’s media crackdown and to increase pressure on the group to halt these violations. The organization also called for support and legal protection for Afghan journalists and media workers.
Amnesty said it continues to advocate for the release of journalists it considers unjustly imprisoned. It called on governments to respect freedom of expression, especially in repressive countries such as Afghanistan, and to repeal laws that restrict press freedom.
On World Press Freedom Day, Amnesty appealed to its supporters to assist journalists at risk and to take action in support of global press freedom.
