Global (Commonwealth Union) _ The Taliban government has imposed new restrictions on Afghanistan’s media, requiring all political content to undergo official review before publication or broadcast. The move, announced through a detailed five-chapter policy framework titled Management of Political Programmes in Afghanistan, introduces a centralised system of content oversight and licensing.
The Political Programme Oversight Committee, which was formed recently and is operating under the Ministry of Information and Culture, will be responsible for screening all political programming across print, broadcast, digital, and social media. The committee will be conducting legal reviews, monitoring compliance, publishing reports, and issuing penalties for violations.
According to the guidelines, all political commentary must align with Sharia law, the values of the Islamic Emirate, and applicable national laws. Analysts and commentators are required to carry identification issued by the Taliban’s Directorate of Broadcast Affairs and may not express views that contradict official policy. Guest speakers that have received previous approval are still required to be re-approved for each new appearance.
The new regulations have also established boundaries on tone and sourcing, with any recommendations or criticisms aimed at officials needing to be phrased respectfully and supported by verifiable evidence. Content that is based on unofficial or anonymous sources will not be permitted under the new agenda.
“Analysis must be approved by the official oversight committee before airing or publication,” the policy reads. It further stipulates that non-compliance may result in revocation of broadcasting licences.
The Taliban has stated that the aim of the policy is to improve political reporting standards, prevent the spread of disinformation, and foster national unity. It described the framework as a tool to enhance the professionalism of media content rather than suppress it.
Nevertheless, concerns have been raised both within and outside the country, with the Afghanistan Journalists Support Organisation (AJSO) describing the policy as a direct challenge to journalistic independence and press freedom. Afghan journalist Lotfullah Najafizada commented that the detailed framework “leaves virtually no room for free press.”
Many free speech activists have often pointed to the suppression of unfavorable free speech directed at those in power in the name of cracking down on “misinformation.”
The Taliban has repeatedly promised recently to respect the media and allow it to operate freely after taking power in Kabul in August 2021. The shift in policy is also a sign of centralised regulation of political discourse in Afghan media and represents a new, restrictive phase in unfolding media.
