Over 200 Media Violations in One Year in Afghanistan

A new report records over 200 media violations in one year, highlighting rising threats, censorship, and pressure on Afghan journalists.

Afghanistan’s media environment has deteriorated sharply, with the Afghanistan Journalists Center reporting at least 207 cases of media freedom violations and violence against journalists in the past year. Released on National Journalist Day (March 18), the report highlights a worsening climate for press freedom across the country.

Among the recorded incidents were two killings, one injury, and 183 threats, including 21 arrests of journalists and media workers. These figures reflect a growing pattern of intimidation and direct targeting of those working in the media sector.

The report states that Taliban authorities have significantly tightened control over media, with censorship and suppression reaching unprecedented levels. Restrictions on content, editorial independence, and access to information have intensified, limiting the ability of journalists to operate freely.

One of the most striking developments has been the expansion of bans on broadcasting images of living beings. Initially imposed in seven provinces in 2024, these restrictions spread to 18 additional provinces in 2025, forcing at least 21 local television stations to either shut down or convert into radio outlets.

Additionally, eight media outlets were shut down over alleged violations of media policies in the country, while the licenses of at least 10 others were revoked. These actions have further reduced the already shrinking space for independent journalism in Afghanistan.

Over the past year, the situation has worsened compared to earlier reports. Violations increased by more than 20 percent compared to the previous year, when 172 incidents were recorded. This rise reflects a systematic escalation in pressure on media institutions and workers.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that the economic crisis affecting Afghanistan media. Declining advertising revenue, reduced international aid, and financial instability have forced many outlets to cut staff, scale down programming, or cease operations entirely.

These economic challenges, combined with political restrictions, have created a dual crisis for the media sector. Journalists face not only threats and censorship but also job insecurity, with hundreds losing employment in the past year alone.

The report further documents practices such as forced confessions of detained journalists, restrictions on women journalists attending press conferences, and even censorship of women’s voices during live broadcasts. These measures illustrate a broader policy of fear, repression, and gender-based discrimination.

Local media outlets in the provinces have been particularly hard hit. Many now operate intermittently, resuming activities only when they secure short-term funding or advertising, highlighting the fragility of the sector outside major cities.

The findings also suggest that state-controlled and affiliated media have increasingly been turned into tools of propaganda, promoting one-sided narratives while sidelining independent voices. This shift has contributed to a growing “single narrative” environment in the country.

The continued suppression of independent media, combined with economic decline, poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and access to information in Afghanistan. The report warns that these trends could have long-term consequences for social cohesion and public awareness.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center has called on authorities to respect fundamental rights and allow journalists to work without fear. Ensuring a safe and open media environment, it stresses, is essential for the country’s future stability and development.

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