Taliban Extend Ban on Images of Living Beings to Sar-e-Pul, Media Freedom Under Threat

Kokcha News Agency: The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has issued a directive banning the broadcast and publication of images of living beings in Sar-e-Pul, according to local sources. This decision was announced during a coordination meeting between government spokespersons and local journalists on July 13.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) confirmed that the ban has effectively halted all visual television programming in the province and restricted media outlets from sharing images on social media platforms. The AFJC warned that this measure represents a serious escalation in media censorship.

Khairullah Khairkhwa, a Taliban official representing the virtue ministry, stated during the meeting, “According to the law of promoting virtue and preventing vice, broadcasting images of living beings is prohibited, and media outlets must adhere to this rule.”

A local journalist, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, revealed that the state-run Sar-e Pol television station has ceased visual broadcasting and now operates solely as a radio station. Many local officials are also refusing to appear in on-camera interviews and have unofficially urged media outlets to avoid publishing their images.

In Sar-e-Pul, several media outlets continue to operate, including the state-run Bakhtar News Agency, state publications, and private radio stations such as Sada-e Sar-e-Pul, Banu, and Anbir. However, all face significant limitations on visual content.

The ban is based on the Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, ratified on August 22, 2024 (31 Asad 1403 in the Afghan calendar). This restriction had previously been implemented in 19 other provinces, including Kandahar, Takhar, Badghis, Helmand, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Farah, Nimroz, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Jawzjan, Zabul, Parwan, Kunduz, Bamiyan, Daikundi, Faryab, Panjshir, and Laghman.

The AFJC has expressed grave concern over the spread of these restrictions, describing them as a violation of press freedom and the public’s right to information. The organization warned that continued enforcement of such bans will have “severe consequences” for journalists, media operations, and access to reliable information.

The AFJC has called on the Taliban to reconsider the directive and other media-related restrictions, urging them to allow journalists to operate freely and without fear, in accordance with basic professional and human rights.