Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, over 50 percent of journalists have lost their jobs, and half of the media outlets have been closed for many reasons, particularly financial ones, TOLO News reported, citing an Afghanistan National Journalists Union (ANJU) report.
The report revealed that 53 percent of journalists lost their jobs and 50 percent of media outlets were closed for many reasons, many of which were published on the occasion of National Journalist’s Day in Afghanistan. “Most media employees have left Afghanistan.
The media community is facing several problems. It faces economic difficulties, and restrictions have been placed on the media’s activities in Afghanistan. Besides this, the suspension or closure of the protective laws of the media community is a big challenge,” said Masroor Lutfi, a member of ANU.
Meanwhile, several journalists expressed concerns regarding the lack of information access and economic difficulties on National Journalists’ Day, according to TOLO News. Journalists asked the Islamic Emirate to address their challenges, especially in the area of access to information.
“Twenty-seven of Hoot, the Journalist’s Day, is celebrated when the lack of information access continues to be considered a difficulty and this community is still dealing with major economic issues,” said Raqib Fayaz, a journalist.
“We ask government officials and related officials to pay serious attention to the problems of journalists and ensure their safety,” said Mustafa Shahriar, a journalist.
But the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture said that they are committed to upholding journalists’ rights and that efforts are being made to increase the facilities available to them, as reported by TOLO News.
According to the United Nations, in 2022, more than 200 violation cases will have been recorded against journalists in Afghanistan, which include arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment, harassment, threats, and intimidation.
Media freedom in Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse, and journalists are suffering from low morale under the ruling regime. Many reporters have been arrested, persecuted, and threatened with death for reporting sensitive issues that are not to the liking of Taliban authorities across the country, according to Khaama Press.