Taliban have barred journalists from private media outlets from attending and covering gatherings linked to religious schools in the southeastern province of Khost, local sources said.
According to the sources, the Taliban’s Directorate for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Khost has told journalists that only state-run media will be allowed to cover such events.
Such gatherings are often attended by senior Taliban officials and held at mosques and other venues across the province.
Journalists have also been warned not to take photographs or video of Taliban officials during the meetings, the sources added.
Taliban officials in Khost have not commented on the matter.
Since seizing power in August 2021, Taliban have imposed sweeping and unprecedented restrictions on media and journalists across Afghanistan, according to international press freedom organisations.
