Afghanistan Peace Campaign
Richard Bennett expressed concern over recent media restrictions in Afghanistan, warning that these measures reflect increasing authoritarianism and threaten press freedom.
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan, raised significant concerns regarding the Taliban’s recent policies on media and political programming. On Friday, July 4th, Bennett shared a statement on X, highlighting the severe restrictions now imposed on Afghanistan media, which were already under tight control by the Taliban.
Bennett described these developments as a troubling sign for press freedom in Afghanistan, marking another dark day for independent journalism in the country. He emphasized that the new policy further entrenches censorship and authoritarianism, limiting the ability of the media to report freely and objectively.
In a bid to tighten its grip on political discourse, the Ministry of Information and Culture issued a new directive titled “Policy for Hosting Political Programs (Panels) in Afghanistan.” The new policy requires media outlets to submit their political programs for approval before they can be aired, thereby stifling independent reporting and curbing freedom of expression.
The Freedom of Expression Center has strongly condemned this directive, describing it as a wide-reaching assault on media freedoms. They warned that these restrictions severely undermine the already fragile state of media independence, making it increasingly difficult for journalists to operate freely.
The new restrictions imposed by the Taliban mark a further escalation in the suppression of press freedom in Afghanistan. These policies are expected to limit the ability of media outlets to engage in independent reporting and political discourse.
The international community must closely observe Afghanistan’s evolving media landscape. The continued erosion of press freedoms poses a serious threat not only to Afghanistan society but also to global human rights standards. As the Taliban intensifies its control over the media, concerns about the country’s future as a free and open society grow.