Afghanistan ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, maintaining one of the lowest positions globally as press freedoms remain severely restricted under Taliban rule, according to Reporters Without Borders.
The country’s overall score rose slightly to 19.51 in 2026 from 17.88 in 2025. In the index, higher scores indicate better press freedom, meaning Afghanistan remains among the worst-performing countries despite the marginal improvement.
RSF evaluates press freedom using five indicators — political, economic, legislative, social and security — each measuring a different dimension of the media environment.
The political indicator, which assesses government influence over the media and editorial independence, ranked Afghanistan 158th in 2026, compared with 163rd in 2025. The slight improvement suggests marginal changes but continued strong state control over media content.
The economic indicator, which measures financial conditions for journalism including funding, advertising and sustainability of outlets, remained unchanged at 165th in both years, reflecting the ongoing economic collapse that has weakened independent media.
The legislative indicator, which evaluates laws and regulations affecting press freedom, held at 178th in both 2026 and 2025, indicating a highly restrictive legal environment with little change.
The social indicator, which looks at societal pressures, discrimination and the ability of journalists to operate freely within cultural norms, remained at 175th in both years, highlighting continued constraints, particularly affecting women journalists.
The security indicator, which measures risks such as violence, detention and threats against journalists, worsened slightly, with Afghanistan ranked 177th in 2026 compared with 175th in 2025, underscoring persistent dangers faced by reporters.
RSF said the figures reflect a media landscape fundamentally reshaped since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
“The takeover sounded the death knell for press freedom,” the organization said, adding that media outlets are now required to broadcast government-controlled information in an environment “devoid of pluralism and dissenting voices.”
Within three months of the Taliban’s return, 43% of media outlets shut down, according to RSF. More than two-thirds of the country’s roughly 12,000 journalists have left the profession.
Women journalists have been disproportionately affected, with eight out of 10 no longer working. Those who remain face strict limitations, including restrictions on travel, bans on appearing on camera in many cases and limited access to official sources.
The political and legal environment has further tightened control over the media. Journalists receive directives from multiple state bodies, including ministries, the intelligence service and institutions overseeing public conduct, the agency said.
Legal restrictions have expanded since 2021, including the introduction of rules governing media content and a 2024 law on the propagation of virtue and prevention of vice, which has led to the closure of some television outlets and further limited content, according to RSF.
Economic pressures have deepened the crisis, RSF said, adding that Afghanistan’s aid-dependent economy has contracted sharply, reducing funding for independent media and forcing many outlets to close or scale back operations.
RSF said the result is widespread self-censorship, with topics such as religion, women’s rights and human rights largely off-limits. In some areas, journalists must submit reports for approval before publication.
Security risks remain high, with journalists facing the constant threat of arrest by Taliban, RSF said. Rights groups say some have been detained arbitrarily and subjected to ill-treatment.
According to RSF, the deteriorating conditions have forced many journalists into exile, leaving only a limited number of independent voices operating outside the country.
Within Afghanistan, access to independent information is increasingly restricted, with many people relying on foreign or exile-based media when internet access is available, the organization said.
Reporters Without Borders said the data highlights the broader erosion of fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, warning that the absence of a free press undermines transparency and accountability.
According to the organization, four journalists remain in Taliban custody in 2026.
