Kabul, Nov 24, : Since Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, 257 media outlets have been closed “due to financial difficulties as well as restrictions,” a media report claimed, citing an NGO.NAI, a group that has been supporting the Afghan media industry in advocacy and support since 2004, stated on Tuesday that closed outlets include print, radio, and TV stations.TOLO News reported.
According to NAI, more than 70% of Afghan media workers lost their jobs or fled the country after Kabul fell under Taliban control on August 15.
Six reporters were also killed in attacks by unknown armed men, suicide bombers, and traffic incidents during the 100 days of Taliban rule.
Officials from the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate government repeatedly stated that they are committed to protecting media achievements and freedoms of expression.
According to the TOLO News report, however, concerns have been raised about the two principles of media operation in the Islamic Emirate.
“The recent statement that contains eight articles (from Virtue and Vice ministries) has raised concerns.”We hope that the issue will be resolved in consultation with media,” Hujatullah Mujadedi (head of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association) stated in a TOLO News report.
“We ask that the Law on Access to Information and Media Law, which aren’t being used now, should be amended based on current circumstances and in consultation with media,” Masroor Lutfi, media representative at the Afghanistan National Journalists Union, stated.
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