The Taliban has shut down at least 12 media outlets across Afghanistan in 2024 alone, according to a Friday report by Reporters Without Borders. The closures include both public and private channels, with the latest being the Kabul-based Arezo TV, whose closure on December 4 has intensified concerns over mounting restrictions on media operations in the country.

The Taliban’s crackdown targets content deemed “transgressive,” such as music, fiction, and any commentary on Taliban politics or broadcasts considered contrary to their interpretation of Islamic values. In a bid to enforce these views, the Taliban have ordered the complete cessation of operations for 11 television stations and one radio station, with several others narrowly escaping permanent closure by adhering to stringent content restrictions.

The Taliban’s actions have not only silenced diverse voices but also resulted in the detention of media personnel. Currently, seven employees of Arezo TV, including prominent figures such as bureau chief Amanullah Azimi, are held in Kabul’s Pul-e-Charkhi prison. These detentions sparked an urgent call for action from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which condemned the closures and demanded the immediate release of the detained journalists.

Arezo TV’s staff witnessed their workplace being raided on December 4th by agents from the General Intelligence Directorate (GDI) and the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, with mobile phones, hard drives, and other equipment confiscated. Accusations were levelled against the station for airing programs linked to exiled Afghan media and soap operas challenging religious norms.

RSF’s South Asia Desk, headed by Célia Mercier, expressed profound concern over these developments, noting an ideological shift within the Taliban contributing to increased repression. Mercier emphasized the urgent need for the restoration of press freedoms, insisting that media outlets must be allowed to resume operations free from fear and intervention.

The situation was caused by a recently enforced law on the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which bans any depiction of living beings in media broadcasts. This has led to the widespread suspension of broadcasts by numerous television channels in provinces such as Kandahar, Helmand, and Badghis, drastically limiting media’s ability to operate freely. Moreover, radio stations in regions like Khost have faced temporary closures for breaches of the Taliban’s strict edicts against music and women’s voices over the airwaves. Earlier in April, Noor TV and Barya TV, linked to political figures, were also closed. Since regaining control over Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have detained at least 141 journalists, with over 25 arrests since January 2024 alone.

During the Taliban’s previous rule from 1996 to 2001, television was entirely banned. However, since they overthrew the Western-backed government three years ago, no such ban has been enforced.