Taliban, seeking extensive restrictions against media outlets, this time have labeled photography and videography as a “major sin.” A senior official of the Taliban’s Department of Invitation and Guidance from the Ministry of Propagation for Virtue and Prevention of Vice stated that media outlets must refrain from photography. He mentioned that many journalists have “corrupt minds.” Concurrently, Taliban security commanders in Khost province have warned media outlets that if they facilitate phone contact for girls with the media, they will be summoned and interrogated. This Taliban directive targets media outlets that have created conducive environments for girls’ education and social programs. Taliban security commanders in Khost province stated that some private media outlets are promoting moral corruption. However, the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has described these Taliban actions as concerning.
Mohammad Hashem Shahid Waror, the Taliban’s Director of the Invitation and Guidance Department, stated during a seminar in Kabul: “Media employees, you too should grow beards and refrain from such actions. Do not spend all your time taking pictures. Indeed, taking pictures is a major sin.” He further stated, “Journalists almost have corrupt minds.”
This Taliban official has accused media outlets of distorting the world’s mindset against this group. He added, “When it comes to a quality statement, they distort it and only publish the part that seems negative, portraying it negatively to the world.”
Taliban’s Director of Invitation and Guidance Department had previously stated in response to assertions regarding the obligation of education for women and men in modern sciences, that the acquisition of modern sciences is not obligatory, and only the learning of Islamic sciences is obligatory for women and men.
This Taliban official deemed the eradication of neckties in Afghanistan obligatory. He stated, “The history of wearing neckties in Islam is clear. It’s a symbol of the Christians, its elimination is mandatory.”
This comes as earlier, Mullah Shirin Akhund, the Taliban governor in Kandahar province, instructed all governmental institutions in the province to refrain from taking photos and engaging in visual interviews with media outlets.
In a written directive, the Taliban official stated, “Upon receipt of this written directive, you are all ordered to refrain from taking photos and photography in your formal and informal gatherings, as the harm of these actions outweighs their benefits.”
In the latest development, the Taliban in Khost province have declared any phone contact of girls and women with radios and televisions in this province is prohibited. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has published a version of an official letter issued on Saturday, February 24, signed by Abdul Rashid Omari, the Taliban security commander in Khost province.
According to this Taliban notice, media officials in Khost province have been warned. According to this warning, if media outlets facilitate phone contact of girls with the media, they will be summoned and interrogated.
In this province, the Taliban consider the dissemination of school lessons and social programs involving girls as contributing to moral corruption. They stated, “Some private radios in Khost province contribute to moral corruption, with a prime example being the dissemination of school lessons or social programs where girls are prominently involved.”
While media oversight falls under the responsibility of the Taliban’s Information and Culture authorities, the security commanders of this group in Khost have commented on media educational programs contrary to the Taliban’s administrative protocols. They stated, “Through these educational and social programs, girls engage in unIslamic phone contacts with program facilitators during formal and informal hours, leading to societal moral corruption and violating Islamic principles.”
This Taliban action has stirred reactions from journalists and media-supporting entities. According to them, following their extensive prohibitions that restricted access to and free flow of information, the Taliban will now shut down visual and audio media outlets with their recent actions.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Qureshi, the executive director of the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), notes a discrepancy in the stance of Taliban spokespersons and other officials toward the media. According to him, Taliban spokespersons discuss modifications in the access to information law, awaiting the decree of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of this group.
The Executive Director of the AFJC adds that the restrictions imposed on media reflect the internal polarization within different factions of the Taliban. He states that in some cases when female interviewees do not wear masks, media outlets become threatened by the Taliban. According to him, the Taliban have warned the owners of these outlets that repeating such actions will have dangerous consequences for them.
Mr. Qureshi comments on the recent statements by the Taliban, stating that this issue has raised serious concerns and affects the work of the media. He adds, “Women and men are entitled to equal rights under the law, and the law does not accept restrictions; however, by imposing restrictions, not only can they not work freely, but these restrictions also become problematic for the audience.”
The Executive Director of the Afghanistan Journalists Center emphasizes that Taliban restrictions cause media outlets to lose more audiences. He says, “The expectations that an audience has from a media outlet will not be met with Taliban restrictions. When media outlets face a shortage of audience, they do not have their intended effects. Overall, it harms the media themselves.”
Afghanistan Journalists Center has labeled the Taliban’s directive in Kandahar province as “illegal” and added that it will restrict freedom of speech.
Previously, the Taliban had also prohibited media from using images of humans and animals in their advertisements.
However, some Afghans argue that the Taliban fail to recognize poverty, unemployment, migration, and women’s exclusion from education, employment, and societal participation. They have forcibly seized government seats and now reduce all of Afghanistan’s challenges and crises to mere photography opportunities.