In spite of Taliban promises of a “free and independent” media, journalists and media workers have faced detention, physical abuse and torture since the group took over Afghanistan six weeks ago.
Now a replacement set of media regulations issued earlier in the week by the Taliban has journalists and rights workers worrying that the group is moving towards outright censorship of the media – reviving memories of its repressive rule out the 1990s.
The 11 directives include a requirement that: “Media outlets will prepare detailed reports in coordination with the govt Media and knowledge Center (GMIC),” which is currently headed by Mohammad Yusuf Ahmadi, a former spokesman for the group during their 20-year rebellion against the US occupation.
The media did face challenges under previous Afghan administrations, including the govt of former President Ashraf Ghani, which frequently came under criticism for its lack of transparency and hostile attitudes towards the media.
Despite these difficulties, though, Afghanistan had the excellence of getting a better press freedom rating than Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
But since the takeover, journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to work under the Taliban’s so-called “Islamic Emirate”.
Sami Mahdi, a well known television journalist who recently published a report on the state of the media under Taliban rule, says the group has been sending very clear signs about its attitude towards the media since their Assumption takeover.
From the day the Taliban took over Kabul, the media has been facing tons of pressure and violence from the Taliban side … only for doing their daily job,” Mahdi said, pertaining to recent reports of violence and intimidation against covering demonstrations and interviewing daily labourers.
Mahdi said this reliance on force and aggression, “sends a transparent message to the media, that they ought to become the Taliban’s mouthpieces,” if they need to survive.
More than 150 media outlets have already closed thanks to fear of increased intimidation from the Taliban and a scarcity of funding since international governments stop assistance to Afghanistan within the wake of the autumn of Kabul.
To Afghan journalists, the new guidelines are the primary direct sign of the Taliban trying to muzzle the nation’s once-thriving media.
Sherin, a female journalist who fled to Europe after experiencing firsthand hostility from the Taliban, says, the principles are another example of the group’s leadership saying one thing and their forces on the bottom acting differently .
“They make these beautiful, flowery pronouncements, on the other hand their men act with physical violence and abuse,” said Sherin, who asked to tend a pseudonym for fear of retribution against her family still in Afghanistan.
On August 17, two days after taking power, the now-Deputy minister of data and culture, Zabihullah Mujahid, said, “Private media can still be free and independent, they will continue their activities.”
Eight days later, reports of a news team – a journalist and cameraman for TOLO TV, the nation’s largest private broadcaster – being beaten and had their phones and cameras confiscated by armed Taliban began to circulate.
Particularly concerning for media workers are the vague, cryptic wording of the 11 points.
Sherin and Mahdi both pointed to the primary rule, which states, “stories contradictory to Islam” shouldn’t be published or broadcast. Though former Afghan governments had similar regulations in their media laws, the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islam leaves both journalists with questions and concerns.
“What is contrary to Islam and what’s not may be a big topic of debate,” says Mahdi.
‘No respect for ordinary citizens’
He fears that the Taliban’s lack of clarity within the 11 points are going to be wont to cast a good net when the group wants to return after the media. “This leaves tons of space for private interpretation. they’re going to use it to limit freedom of expression,” Mahdi said.
Sherin, who works mainly as a video and photojournalist, cares about how these parameters will affect her ability to settle on her sources, especially women. Even under the previous government, women would often be criticised for something as simple as their attire, but now she wonders if the Taliban’s constant references to women’s clothing will affect who is heard and who is seen.
If I take a photograph or video of a lady who isn’t wearing what the Taliban considers to be proper and Islamic, is her entire opinion discounted, am I still allowed to publish her thoughts?”
Sherin was also disturbed by one among the regulations, which says journalists “should not insult national figures”.
As someone who has witnessed firsthand the Taliban’s abuse of individuals on the streets of Kabul, Sherin says this directive shows the “clear separations” the Taliban has created in Afghan society. “The folks that they disrespect themselves by beating and abusing on the streets. What about them? Who are they?” she asked.
She said this rule, when paired with their actions towards the overall populace, makes it clear that “they haven’t any respect for ordinary citizens” which they “can be abused and mocked” while high-profile figures, including the Taliban leadership, should be afforded an additional level of dignity and respect.
Sources chatting with Al Jazeera also acknowledged the very fact that the Taliban themselves have already engaged in what might be considered insulting behaviour.
Last month, a Taliban commander received widespread online condemnation after he went on live television and called the people of Panjshir, the province home to the nation’s sole armed resistance against Taliban rule, “nonbelievers.”