Human Rights Watch, 23 October 2025
Media freedom has further declined throughout Afghanistan over the past four years under Taleban rule, HRW states in a new report based on interviews with Afghan journalists within the country and in exile. They have subjected the remaining news outlets to surveillance and censorship. The journalists interviewed report that the Taleban’s intelligence agency monitors all content and the “morality police” ensure adherence by staff to prescribed dress codes and other regulations. They cannot report about a number of ‘taboo subjects’; if they do so, they are punished. The same goes for any perceived criticism of Taleban policies or officials. Afghan journalists in exile who fled Taleban persecution now face increasing threats of forced return to Afghanistan, where they have to fear retaliation.
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This article was last updated on 23 Oct 2025
