Kabul: Press freedom in Afghanistan has deteriorated sharply under the Taliban regime, with journalists facing intimidation, violence, and severe restrictions on media operations, according to multiple Afghan and international reports.

A report by Amu TV revealed that “censorship, arrests, and intimidation have severely undermined freedom of the press in Afghanistan.” The network noted that Afghanistan’s ranking in the Press Freedom Index has dropped further, with media restrictions now at their harshest level since 2001.

According to the Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO), there have been 539 incidents of violence against journalists since 2021, including beatings, arbitrary arrests, and forced televised confessions. The organization added that “several journalists remain imprisoned on baseless charges.”

International watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also issued a grim assessment, placing Afghanistan 178th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Press Freedom Index. The group reported that 12 media outlets were shut down during the year, while 80 percent of female journalists lost their jobs.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Taliban authorities have banned broadcasting any image of living beings on television, calling it a devastating blow to the free press.

The UN Secretary-General also issued a warning on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, highlighting the worsening threats to Afghan media professionals.

Observers say the Taliban’s growing hostility has created an atmosphere of fear, where “speaking the truth has become a crime and silence a necessity.”

Rights groups and media advocates have urged the international community to take urgent action to protect freedom of expression and press independence in Afghanistan.