Over 200 media outlets shut down in past 2 years

Since the Taliban regained control of the country two years ago, over 200 media outlets have closed down, with many of these closures being attributed to financial issues exacerbated by the ongoing economic crisis.

According to the latest findings by the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA), over the past two years, more than two hundred recorded cases of violence and arrests involving journalists have occurred. Currently, 13 journalists remain incarcerated.

The AIJA finding says that more than 7,000 media professionals, including many women, have faced the distressing consequence of job loss, compelling many to seek overseas opportunities.

This unsettling trend has overshadowed the media landscape as the once-vibrant workforce is uprooted and dispersed due to the changing political circumstances.

The departure of these skilled individuals not only represents a significant loss to the domestic media industry but also raises concerns about the diversity of voices and perspectives that have been a hallmark of a thriving media ecosystem.

“Before the victory of the Islamic Emirate, we had 600 media outlets in Afghanistan, of which 213 media outlets are currently closed; most of them were print media outlets,” according to Hujatullah Mujadidi, head of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association.

“We have 13 or 12 journalists under arrest, one of whom is [Afghan-French journalist Morteza] Behboodi; another one [is in custody], but his media [employer] has not confirmed his employment; and eight other people who were arrested in the last two or three days,” Mujadidi stated.

Still, many journalists assert that media restrictions and a lack of timely information from government institutions have created challenging working conditions. They also note that the recent arrests of several journalists by the Taliban forces have sparked fear and despair among their colleagues.

Over the past two decades, media and freedom of expression were significant accomplishments within the republic. However, following the previous government’s downfall, there has been a noticeable decline in freedom of expression and media engagement within the country.

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