153 Media Outlets Shut Down in Afghanistan One Month After Taliban Takeover

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that more than 150 Afghan media outlets have been shut down within a month since the Taliban, an armed faction in Afghanistan, took control of the capital, Kabul.

According to Tolo News, a local Afghan media outlet, on the 13th (local time), at least 153 media organizations located across 20 provinces in Afghanistan have ceased operations since the Taliban entered Kabul on the 15th of last month. The main reasons for the shutdowns are said to be difficult economic conditions along with various sanctions imposed by the Taliban.

In fact, since the Taliban's return to power, media suppression has reportedly been occurring throughout Afghanistan. Recently, journalists covering women's rights protests in Kabul were detained by the Taliban, and some of them were reportedly beaten with whips at police stations, news that has sparked international outrage.

The Taliban also banned female journalists from working at state-run broadcasters. It is reported that most female reporters in regional media are in similar situations. As a result, many female journalists who were dismissed by administrators appointed by the Taliban demanded reinstatement at the end of last month.

The Afghan Independent Journalists Association also urged the Taliban to stop violence against journalists covering protests and to enact laws regarding access to information. A representative from the Afghan National Journalists Union stated, "We urge international organizations to take immediate action to resolve media suppression. Otherwise, freedom of the press and civil liberties will soon disappear."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.