The Taliban’s control over Afghanistan has made it nearly impossible to access and freely flow information. Some media outlets that continue their activities within the country under Taliban rule are reporting challenges in disseminating information and facing restrictions. Journalists are grappling with extensive issues, such as self-censorship, suppression, and reporting constraints.
However, some reporters in Balkh province say they cannot freely participate in news programs due to fear of detention and torture by the Taliban. These reporters claim that the Taliban subject them to interrogation for publishing news from other media outlets. In this province, journalists assert that they are unable to even participate in their news programs due to fear of torture and detention by the Taliban.
One of these reporters asserts, “The Taliban become suspicious of Balkh journalists and subject them to pressure and interrogation when news and reports, of which we have no knowledge and originate from foreign media outlets, are published against the Taliban’s wishes.”
Balkh, one of Afghanistan’s most populous provinces, experiences a daily surge in various criminal cases. Additionally, the Taliban are involved in acts of harassment, extortion, and corruption within public projects, all concealed from public view. Journalists are unable to report on these matters, and some reporters in Balkh claim that fear of the Taliban prevents the coverage of most of these incidents.
These journalists find it challenging to continue their work under the Taliban’s rule. They worry about their personal safety and professional stability, making it difficult to conduct their standard activities. Moreover, they mention that government offices controlled by the Taliban are uncooperative and keep them waiting outside their doors.
Seyar Tabesh, a reporter in Balkh, reveals, “In the last two years, the life of a reporter has grown notably difficult. Each morning, as we step out for work, we are gripped by fear and uncertainty. While I work for a small media outlet, I find it hard to cover most events due to potential Taliban involvement.” This journalist stresses that to access even the most basic information, one must wait at the locked doors of government offices under Taliban control, often receiving no response.
Mohammad Zabih (pseudonym) is another reporter who avoids disclosing his identity in this report out of fear of the Taliban. He reveals that despite his many years of involvement in media activities in Balkh, he has experienced mistreatment, humiliation, and insults by the Taliban multiple times in the last two years due to their apprehension.
Expressing a deep sense of sorrow and anxiety, this reporter reveals, “In these circumstances, journalists lack professional recognition and hold no importance in the rulers’ eyes. Despite over two years of their rule, most Taliban members remain unfamiliar with the journalism field, treating journalists with suspicion and hostility.” He highlights numerous grievances against government agencies that go unreported. The reporter finds the current situation demoralizing and admits to succumbing to this profession due to unemployment and financial constraints.
Journalists express grievances regarding the challenging environment for information dissemination and the constraints on free information flow. Over the past two years, the Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture in Balkh has actively limited media operations. This entity has mandated that local media outlets refrain from producing news and reports without prior coordination with Taliban authorities. Consequently, this directive prevents journalists from covering even immediate events, such as explosions and fires, without the group’s approval. In a recent incident, just days ago, three reporters dispatched to the scene of a fire in Mazar-e-Sharif city for a news report were apprehended by Taliban intelligence without a clear cause and detained for hours.
Sohail Sharifi (pseudonym) is a journalist who voices his concerns about the mistreatment of the media by the Taliban. He explains, “Journalists in Balkh face substantial pressure from the Taliban. Whenever critical news or reports about their government are published by external media outlets not active in Afghanistan, the Taliban here raise suspicions about journalists and subject several of them to interrogation, even though these journalists have no knowledge of those reports.”
It’s essential to note that since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the restricted access to information, along with the rise in detentions, torture, and press suppression, has become a routine occurrence. The Taliban offers no transparency or accountability to the media.
As per a report from the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) released on the International Day for Universal Access to Information, during the two years of Taliban rule, this group has committed 366 violations of journalists’ rights and media freedom. These violations have led to the loss of lives among media personnel, as well as threats, detentions, and violent confrontations.