With an aim to further restrict the media outlets in Afghanistan, the Taliban Government is looking to come up with proper directions against them. As per the report by Khaama Press, the step was taken after the group felt limitations on the media after its takeover of the country.
According to it, these observations were made by participants, which included journalists and other experts, in a gathering recently between the media groups and the Taliban-acting government in Northern Mazar-e-Sharif province. Speaking at the event, Abdul Baseer Abid, the head of a private media outlet in Balkh also observed that media organisations are also facing imitations after taking over of the current regime.
As per the South Asian Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN), close to 45 per cent of journalists have resigned from their jobs after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. The group’s attempt to curb media rights in the country has also attracted criticism across the country.
The locals in the country also feel that the media outlets feel a lot of challenge due to the unavailability of proper blueprints for media houses, after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021, ANI reported. Notably, in its report in November 2022, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also pointed out the increase in human rights violations of at least 2022 reports in Afghanistan, suggesting the increase in crimes against journalists.
“Human rights abuses of more than 200 reporters in Afghanistan are recorded by UNAMA since August 2021. Record high numbers include arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, threats and intimidation.” “Media in #Afghanistan is in peril. Let us all help #ProtectJournalists #EndImpunity,” UNAMA tweeted earlier.
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According to ANI, since its takeover of the country, the Taliban has put an end to a number of rights of women and media organisations and also revoked the steps related to freedom of speech and gender equality.