Afghanistan Peace Campaign
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says Afghanistan’s legal and regulatory system has been increasingly used to restrict independent journalism since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
In a report marking five years since the Taliban takeover, RSF reviewed more than 20 nationwide orders, along with provincial directives and verbal instructions issued between September 2021 and January 2026. The organization said the measures have progressively controlled what media outlets can report, who can appear or speak on air and how journalists cover political issues.
RSF said the restrictions have affected criticism of officials, international media broadcasts, women’s participation in broadcasting, live political programs, guest selection and the use of images of living beings.
The organization said nationwide restrictions began weeks after the August 2021 takeover, when authorities introduced journalism principles prohibiting content deemed contrary to Islam or offensive to national figures. Media outlets were also instructed to coordinate detailed reports with authorities and adopt official terminology when referring to the government.
Restrictions on women in media expanded over subsequent years. RSF cited rules requiring female television presenters to cover their faces and later measures restricting women’s voices in radio and public information programs.
RSF said restrictions also targeted international broadcasts and political programming. Afghan media outlets were barred from rebroadcasting Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programs on FM frequencies, while later directives restricted live political programs and required prior approval for guests and experts.
The organization said provincial authorities have imposed additional rules, particularly in Kandahar, including restrictions on women’s voices, reporting access and terminology used for Taliban officials.
RSF also raised concerns over Afghanistan’s January 2026 criminal procedures regulation, saying its broad provisions could potentially be used against journalists and commentators and could weaken source confidentiality.
RSF said the restrictions represent a progression from controlling media content to regulating terminology, women’s participation, political programming and ultimately the potential use of judicial mechanisms against critical reporting.
The organization called for the repeal of rules that restrict journalism on the basis of what it described as vague religious, moral or “national interest” provisions.