The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said that two individuals have been arrested for allegedly dubbing and translating foreign television series with what it described as “Western content” and for having ties to foreign-based media outlets.
In a statement released on Saturday, July 26, the ministry claimed that the individuals had confessed to translating and dubbing material “in violation of Islamic principles” for media organizations operating outside of Afghanistan, allegedly in exchange for payment.
According to the Taliban, the dubbed content was then distributed through various media channels. The statement emphasized that no one is permitted to act “against Islamic values and Afghan culture,” and warned of serious consequences for future violations.
The arrests come amid an escalating crackdown by the Taliban on cultural and media content. Since their return to power in 2021, the group has imposed sweeping restrictions on artistic expression, foreign media, and independent journalism. Journalists, producers, and media workers continue to report increasing levels of censorship, intimidation and arrests.
