The United Nations’ most recent report provides a disheartening and worsening depiction of media freedom in Afghanistan, focusing particularly on the Taliban’s repressive tactics targeted at journalists and those working in the media industry.

Released on Tuesday, the 26-page document by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Human Rights Office covers the period from August 2021, to September 2024. It sheds light on the alarming erosion of press freedom, documenting widespread censorship, severe restrictions on access to information, and systematic targeting of journalists. The report also mentions the deeply ingrained culture of self-censorship that has permeated all aspects of media in regions under Taliban control.

Through extensive research and interviews with media personnel, the report vividly illustrates the alarming extent to which journalists and reporters have been forced to suppress their own voices and adhere to strict guidelines imposed by the Taliban. This culture of self-censorship has been fueled by a myriad of factors, with arbitrary detentions, constant threats, and instances of brutal violence against media personnel serving as the primary catalysts.

The report delves into the chilling accounts of journalists who have faced imprisonment or even lost their lives for daring to challenge the Taliban’s narrative. It says the pervasive atmosphere of fear and intimidation has not only stifled the freedom of expression but has also eroded the quality and accuracy of news coverage, leaving the public in a state of perpetual uncertainty and misinformation.

The Taliban’s tactics to control media narratives have created an environment of fear, severely constraining journalistic autonomy.

Through its comprehensive analysis, the report aims to bring attention to the urgent need for international support and advocacy to protect the integrity and independence of media organizations in regions under Taliban rule.

According to the UN, 336 journalists have been directly impacted by these practices, with 256 cases of arbitrary detention, 130 instances of torture or ill-treatment, and 75 occurrences of threats or intimidation. This reflects a broader trend of declining press freedoms since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

The Taliban’s tactics to control media narratives have created an environment of fear, severely constraining journalistic autonomy. One of the most notable actions is the imposition of an 11-point media directive that severely restricts content deemed contrary to Islamic or national values. This includes a policy where media outlets must obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Information and Culture before publishing any sensitive material. Failure to comply has led to the closure of several outlets.

A significant number of media outlets have shut down post-Taliban takeover, driven by loss of revenue, the exodus of journalists, and escalating restrictions on media operations.

The Taliban have continued to create an extremely restrictive environment for media, heavily interfering with editorial content and reducing operational freedom.

New social restrictions, including the ban on music broadcasting, gender-segregated workplaces, and prohibitions on displaying images of living beings, further undermine media freedom.

The UN has documented 336 cases of “arrest,” “torture,” and “intimidation” directed at journalists by the Taliban. Journalists are required to seek approval from the Taliban before publishing reports, with their news agendas subjected to pre-vetting. New social restrictions, including the ban on music broadcasting, gender-segregated workplaces, and prohibitions on displaying images of living beings, further undermine media freedom.

A particularly concerning aspect of the report is the systematic marginalization of women in the media sector. Women journalists face compounded discrimination, including travel restrictions, mandatory hijabs, and bans on their voices being aired in broadcasts.

Since the Taliban’s resurgence, more than 84% of women in media have lost their jobs, with little opportunity for new female journalists as the regime has suspended higher education for women, further limiting their role in the public sphere.

The shrinking of Afghanistan’s media landscape is a direct consequence of the Taliban’s oppressive policies. Hence, the closure of 43% of media outlets since their return to power is attributed to an economic collapse, loss of international funding, and increasingly stringent regulations. Remaining outlets continue to struggle financially, with bans on music and entertainment contributing to their declining revenue.

The plight of journalists working for media organizations in exile is also a focal point of the report. Many such journalists have been detained for alleged connections to outlets considered illegal by the Taliban.

The UN calls on the Taliban authorities to protect media workers and align their practices with international human rights standards, ensuring that women have full access to participate in the media sector.

This suppression not only undermines the principles of democracy but also prevents the dissemination of accurate and unbiased information to the public.

In response to these dire conditions, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, underscored the importance of media freedom for public accountability and informed debate, declaring, “The current conditions are incompatible with Afghanistan’s obligations under international law.”

The report urges the international community to renew its support for Afghanistan’s media sector, emphasizing the need for both financial and technical assistance to sustain the press. It also stresses the importance of restoring access to education and employment for women as a critical foundation for a free and dynamic press in the country.

The situation outlined in the UN report represents not only a severe regression in Afghanistan’s media freedom but also a broader erosion of basic human rights under the Taliban’s governance. That’s why the ongoing suppression of journalists by the current regime is a grave concern that highlights the erosion of press freedom and the stifling of dissenting voices.

Journalists, who play a vital role in holding those in power accountable, are facing increasing restrictions, harassment, and even imprisonment. This suppression not only undermines the principles of democracy but also prevents the dissemination of accurate and unbiased information to the public. Furthermore, the shrinking role of women in the media further emphasizes the deeply entrenched authoritarianism within the regime.

Despite the significant contributions of women journalists, they are often marginalized, excluded from decision-making processes, and subjected to discrimination and unequal treatment. This exclusion not only perpetuates gender inequality but also limits diverse perspectives and narratives in the media landscape. A combination of suppressing journalists and marginalizing women in the media industry underscores the alarming authoritarian tendencies of the current regime.