Taliban Issues New Media Policy Requiring Prior Approval of Political Content and Expert Screening
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has issued a new directive titled “Policy on Holding Political Programs (Roundtables),” mandating that media outlets submit all political content for approval before broadcast. Moreover, analysts and commentators can only participate in political debates and news programs after receiving a special identity card issued by the Taliban following approval.
Kokche News Agency reports that the Taliban’s new media instruction severely tightens control over information. According to a leaked copy obtained by the publication, the directive emphasizes that all political content, including TV and radio programs, interviews, debates, articles, and online media, must be supervised and approved by the Ministry of Information and Culture.
The guideline establishes a “Monitoring Committee” tasked with overseeing all political programs, assessing the content for compliance with Taliban policies, and suspending broadcasts if necessary. It also states that content should promote “core Islamic principles,” support Taliban policies, and avoid divisions based on ethnicity or language, asserting these measures are meant to strengthen national unity.
Furthermore, the directive explicitly warns that any program or analyst opposing the regime’s policies or linked to foreign entities will face bans or sanctions, including license withdrawals. Analysts, therefore, must align their views with official Taliban positions and obtain official approval before public commentary. The regulations reinforce previous bans on live political debates and restrict announced guest analysts to those approved by the regime.
The document criticizes “emotional or provocative content” and states that only officially approved analysts can speak on political issues, with their remarks under constant supervision.
Reactions to the New Policy:
Independent media groups and journalists in Afghanistan have condemned the directive, calling it a severe step toward increased censorship and suppression of press freedom. They report losing jobs—around 200 media workers have already been forced out—leaving less than 100 active outlets. Overall, out of approximately 550 media entities before Taliban takeover, only around 180 continue to operate amid political and economic pressures.
Lutfallah Najafi Zadeh, founder and executive of Amoo TV, expressed concern about the regime’s escalating control, sharing parts of the new restrictions which sharply curtail independent reporting. Reports indicate that Afghanistan now ranks 175th out of 180 countries in the 2025 global press freedom index with a score of 17.88.
Reporters Without Borders has previously reported that 141 journalists have been detained or imprisoned since the Taliban’s return, with intelligence agencies playing a major role in arrests and torture of media workers. Additionally, the Taliban have prohibited broadcasting footage of living creatures in some regions, further showcasing tightening restrictions on media content.
