AFJC: Taliban Bans Broadcasting of Living Beings' Images in Six Provinces So Far

In a statement issued on Tuesday (7 January), the center expressed concern over the expansion of this ban, warning that such restrictions could have negative consequences on media operations and access to information.

According to reports, the Taliban's virtue ministry recently imposed this ban in Nuristan province. In this province, apart from the offices of the state-run National Radio and Television and Bakhtar News Agency, three private media outlets—Radio Elina, Sula Sahar, and Paroon Voice—are operational.

Sources stated that the National Television in Nuristan does not produce local programs, and before this ban, its reports were aired via the National Television in Kabul. Similarly, video reports from Bakhtar News Agency’s provincial office were sent to Kabul for broadcasting.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center noted that in addition to Nuristan, this ban has been officially implemented in five other provinces, including Kandahar, Takhar, Badghis, Helmand, and Nangarhar. As a result, local visual media have ceased operations, and journalists are facing significant restrictions.

It is worth mentioning that, according to Article 17 of the Taliban's law on Promotion of Virtue, officials of this group are instructed to prevent the broadcasting of images and videos featuring live beings. This law has also been enforced in some Taliban-run offices in Kabul, though state and private television outlets in the capital are still continuing their broadcasts.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center described the expansion of this ban as a clear example of systematic suppression of freedom of speech and media. It called on the Taliban leadership to lift these restrictions and respect the fundamental rights of journalists and media, including freedom of expression.