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The media industry in Afghanistan has collapsed with the return of Taliban rule.
So far more than 250 newspapers, radio programs and television stations have disappeared during the first hundred days of the militant’s rule, the Guardian reported, citing Afghan press monitor NAI. The group also found that 70% of the country’s journalists were out of work.
“When I meet friends, they say ‘the media is finished’,” a photographer named Habibullah from northern Afghanistan told the paper. “Either we have to leave the country, or we have to get another job.”
Habibullah is planning to become a taxi driver, the outlet reported.
During the 20 years of the US-backed Afghan government press and media freedom had been one of the country’s most standout success stories. During their previous rule, the Taliban had not allowed independent media and journalists were often targets of assassination.
Though they promised to respect press freedom after reconquering the country this year, the militants have not fulfilled those pledges, locals say.
Female journalists have been forced out of work, while radio and television broadcasts must now seek pre-approval before airing content.
The steep decline of independent journalism in Afghanistan comes as the Taliban government has been buffeted by economic woes and ongoing fighting with rival terrorist groups.
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