The Taliban have extended their ban on broadcasting images of living beings to Balkh Province, halting video programming on the state-run national broadcaster there, according to local sources. The restriction is already enforced in 16 other provinces.
Balkh National Television is now airing only audio alongside a static image, the sources said. The order was delivered on Tuesday by the Taliban’s provincial Information and Culture Department during a meeting with executives from state and private outlets.
The Taliban have also cut off internet service to the state broadcaster, preventing local journalists from sending reports to Kabul, one source said. They have additionally suspended permits for advertising on the channel.
Balkh once had a mix of state and private broadcasters, including Arzo, Farogh, Taj and Kam, but several outlets have already ceased operations under mounting restrictions and financial strain.
The Taliban have not commented publicly on the new rules.
Press freedom groups have condemned similar bans elsewhere as part of a broader effort to erase visual media in Afghanistan. Under the Taliban’s code of conduct, issued in 2024, the display of images of living beings is explicitly prohibited.
The move comes the same week Taliban officials in Kandahar barred YouTubers and social media creators from producing videos, further tightening controls on visual content nationwide.
