Directives and Implications
(2021-2025)
December 25, 2025
Legal Framework
The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). As a State Party to the ICCPR, Afghanistan bears the responsibility to promote, protect, and respect human rights, ensuring that all members of society, including journalists, can freely exercise their right to freedom of expression. This obligation entails creating an enabling environment where media outlets can operate safely, independently, and without undue interference, as well as holding accountable those responsible for attacks or threats against media personnel. Afghanistan’s constitution and the Law on Mass Media have been drafted in accordance with Islamic principles and international legal commitments, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ICCPR.
Freedom of expression and media freedom are constitutionally recognized under Afghanistan’s 2004 Constitution. Article 34 states: “Freedom of expression shall be protected. Every Afghan has the right to express their thoughts through speech, writing, images, or other means, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. Every Afghan has the right to publish and disseminate information in accordance with the law, without prior approval from governmental authorities.” On April 12, 2024, the de facto Ministry of Justice announced that laws enacted by the previous government have been repealed.
Furthermore, the legal framework governing independent media and journalists in Afghanistan is outlined in the Law on Mass Media, adopted in 2009. This law was amended and revised in 2015, and it comprises 11 chapters and 55 articles. The Law on Mass Media safeguards the right to freedom of thought and expression, promotes independent and pluralistic media outlets, and guarantees access to information. Additionally, Afghanistan has a comprehensive access to information law, considered among the best globally. Enacted in 2014 and amended twice in 2017 and 2019, this law provides a strong legal basis for transparency and public accountability.
Following the fall of the Republic and the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the de facto authorities announced that a draft of amendments to media laws, with “minor modifications”, had been submitted under the de facto leadership in Kandahar. Khairullah Khairkhah, the former de facto Minister of Information and Culture, stated on June 24, 2024, during a press conference in Paktia Province’s capital, Gardiz, that the previous Law on Mass Media “aligns with Shariah” and the “principles of the Islamic Emirate,” and would soon be ratified with “minor differences,” making it accessible to media outlets.
Hayatulalh Muhajer Farahi, de facto Deputy of Publishing Affairs at the Ministry of Information and Culture, commented on the content of the draft media law stating: “This law emphasizes three main points: respect for Islamic values, Afghan culture, and national interests.” On December 20, 2024, in response to a question from the AFJC about whether the Law on Mass Media from the previous government remains applicable until the draft amendments are ratified by the de facto leadership, Muhajer Farahi replied: “Yes, except for some parts, many sections of it.”
However, more than four years after the Taliban’s takeover, the final status of the amended media law and the access to information law remains uncertain in 2025. The enforcement of media laws has been sporadic and largely limited to specific administrative procedures such as issuing or renewing operating licenses and tax-related matters. On the other hand, the de facto authorities have imposed a series of media directives, fostering a hostile environment for independent media and journalists.
AFJC’s findings indicate that since the Taliban's return to power on August 15, 2021, the de facto authorities have issued at least 24 media directives, imposing substantial restrictions on journalists and media outlets, including:
- Prohibition of Women’s Employment in State Media, Including National Radio and Television
In the immediate days following the fall of the Republic and the Taliban’s return to power, female employees were barred from working under the de facto-controlled state media, including the National Radio and Television. An official from the de facto Ministry of Information and Culture confirmed to the AFJC that this prohibition extends to other media under the control of the de facto, including print publications and radios such as Omid and Hurriyat.
- Prohibition of Media Coverage of Demonstrations and Civil Protests
On September 8, 2021, the de facto Ministry of Interior declared that holding demonstrations "under any name or title" is prohibited. The ministry warned that any violations would be met with accountability, stating, “Responsibility for any incident will fall on the offenders.” Concurrently, a verbal directive was issued to media outlets in Kabul forbidding coverage of protests and civil protests.
- Restrictions on Access to Information, News Reporting, and Content Production
Yousuf Ahmadi, head of the de facto’s Media and Information Center, announced an 11-article regulation for media and journalists on September 19, 2021, which includes the following provisions:
- Topics conflicting with Islam must not be published;
- Media activities should not insult national figures;
- Respect for national and private sanctities must be maintained;
- Media and journalists must avoid distortion in news content;
- Journalistic principles should be upheld in reporting;
- Balance should be maintained in broadcasts;
- Unverified or officially unconfirmed topics should be approached with caution;
- Content that negatively impacts public opinion or damages morale should be avoided;
- Media must maintain neutrality and publish only factual information;
- The government Media Center aims to cooperate with media outlets and journalists, facilitating report preparation, with media subsequently required to coordinate detailed reports with this office;
- A standardized form has been prepared in the government media office to assist journalists and outlets in report compilation.
The first three articles of this directive are derived from the country’s media law but contain definitions that are in conflict with Islamic principles.
4: Obligation of Journalists and Media Outlets to Refer to the Taliban as the Government of Afghanistan
The de facto Ministry of Information and Culture, issued a six-point directive in a letter dated September 25, 2021, signed by Zabihullah Mujahid, the de facto deputy of the Ministry of Information and Culture, to some television channels in Kabul. Five of these directives had been previously stated, but in the sixth point, it is specified that the Taliban now control all of Afghanistan, and from now on, they should not be referred to as the "Taliban group," but rather as the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan." In other words, this directive obliges the media to recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan, whereas until now, the de facto has only been recognized by one country (Russia).
The Morality Police in Herat burning musical instruments. Source: Kaweshgar, June 26, 2024.
- Ban on the Publication of Music in Media
The ban on music was first announced to the media in Kandahar on August 29, 2021—two weeks after the Taliban regained power. This prohibition is now being enforced throughout the entire country.
6- Ban on Women’s Participation in TV Dramas, Film Broadcasts, and Requiring Women to wearing Islamic hijab
On November 21, 2021, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the de facto Minister of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, issued a set of eight directives during a press conference in Kabul, which included the following restrictions:
- Films that go against the values of Islam and Afghan Sharia not be released;
- Domestic and foreign films that harm's social ethics and cultural should not be published;
- programs or shows that insult should not be aired;
- Shows that violate Sharia standards and human dignity should be avoided;
- Films and videos show the private parts of the body without covering should not published;
- Women on must observe Islamic hijab;
- Plays with female actors not be published.
- The publication of serials (films) that show the faces actors who play the role prophets and companions of Prophet Mohammad((PBUH) strictly prohibited.
Following this, on May 17, 2022, representatives from the de facto Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice met with media representatives in Kabul to clarify directives regarding women’s presence in media and appropriate dress codes for women at work. Under this guidance, women appearing on television are required to cover their faces.
The impact of these directives has been widespread. Most broadcasters, which previously dubbed and aired foreign serials—including Indian and Turkish dramas—to attract audiences, were compelled to cease such content. Even media outlets broadcasting content with “Islamic” themes have been instructed to halt such productions.
- Segregation of Men and Women in Media and Ban on Female-Male Interviews
Under these new directives, media outlets are mandated to allocate specific places for female journalists, and women and men are prohibited from working together in mixed environments. Female journalists are generally barred from conducting direct interviews with men; however, in Kabul, some flexibility exists, allowing men to interview women remotely via online platforms. Outside Kabul, this restriction is enforced more strictly, and women are generally not permitted to work at media offices in many provinces. However, in a few women-only outlets or in provinces with relatively more permissive cultural norms—and where less conservative Taliban officials are present—women may conduct interviews or produce reports from home for broadcast submission.
Media outlets that defy these restrictions have faced threats or closure. For example, on July 31, 2022, the Radio and Television Hamisha Bahar in Jalalabad was shut down after organizing a mixed training session for male and female journalists.
- Restrictions on Interviewing Opponents and Critics of the Taliban Regime
On November 22, 2021, the de facto Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a directive instructing journalists to avoid interviewing critics of the Taliban government or opposition figures, and to exclude such voices from television debates. This interference was exemplified when the heads of four private television networks—Tolo News, Ariana News, Shamshad, and Khurshid—were summoned to the de facto Ministry of Information and Culture on December 16 and 22, 2021. During these meetings, attended by de facto intelligence officials and representatives from the de facto Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, media officials were instructed to strictly follow the directives.
- Ban on International Television Broadcasts in Afghanistan
On March 27, 2022, the de facto authorities ordered domestic television stations that aired foreign media content to cease such broadcasts. This directive resulted in the suspension of all programming from international broadcasters, including Voice of America (Persian/Dari, Pashto), BBC (Persian/Dari, Pashto, Uzbek), and Deutsche Welle. These television stations’ programs were previously rebroadcast through several local outlets such as Arian, Shamshad, and Arezo.
- Restrictions on Commercial Announcements Containing Political, Security, and Social Content
On April 26, 2022, Zabihullah Mujahid, the de facto Deputy Minister of Information and Culture issued a letter to media outlets explicitly instructing that they must refrain from publishing commercial advertisements that contain political, security, or social content without prior coordination with the Media Oversight Department of his ministry.
Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada prohibited the media from criticizing the de facto officials
11: Prohibition of Criticizing the Performance of de facto Authorities
Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme Leader of the de facto, issued a decree on April 22, 2022, declared that criticizing de facto officials is considered contrary to Islamic law. The decree states: “According to Islamic guidance, making baseless accusations and criticizing officials are not permissible religiously, and individuals who disobey this order will face punishment.”
- Prohibition on Photography and Video Interviews in Helmand Province
On February 21, 2023, the de facto Department of Information and Culture in Helmand province issued a verbal order forbidding journalists from conducting video interviews with local officials or producing visual reports of citizens in the province. Journalists were warned not to disobey this directive. This unprecedented decision was rescinded three weeks later, with authorities claiming that a misunderstanding had occurred and that no such ban existed. Despite this, official bans on photography and video interviews were reinstated in Kandahar and Helmand provinces in 2024 and were later extended to other regions.
- Prohibition on Working with Exile Media Outlets
The de facto authorities have accused several Afghan media outlets established abroad—primarily following the fall of the Republic government and related to coverage of Afghanistan’s situation—of engaging in propaganda against them. Multiple warnings have been issued to journalists in Kabul and across provinces, urging them to refrain from collaborating with or working for exile media. Findings by AFJC indicate that many journalists detained after the fall of the republic or whose outlets were shut down and operations halted were accused of cooperating with exile broadcasters.
Initially, these warnings were communicated primarily through informal channels; however, by 2024, the ban was formally announced. On May 8, 2024, Khubaib Ghufran, spokesperson for the de facto Ministry of Information and Culture, publicly accused Afghanistan International TV, based in London of “violating the privacy of citizens and legal persons, misinformation, and promoting ethnic, linguistic, and regional biases.” Ghufran further stated that the “content” and “behavior” of the presenters on Afghanistan International TV “are contrary to Afghan and Islamic values,” and that the station “is engaged in propaganda against the de facto authorities, and in favor of opposition groups.” He urged experts, analysts, and local journalists to avoid participating in programs or collaborating with this outlet. Sources in Kabul told AFJC that this ban also extends to other exile media outlets, including Amu TV and online newspapers such as Hasht-e-Subh and Etilaat Roz.
14: Prohibition on Broadcasting Women's Voices in Local Media Outlets of Helmand Province
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the unofficial ban on broadcasting women’s voices in some provinces. This restriction was formally communicated for the first time to provincial media outlets in Helmand. On July 23, 2023, the de facto department of Information and Culture of Helmand province, has instructed the local media to cease broadcasting women’s voices. This directive explicitly prohibited any live or recorded programs featuring women.
The most recent official ban on broadcasting women's voices was announced in Kandahar Province on March 18, 2025, explicitly prohibiting the transmission of women's voices across all local media outlets in the province.
- Prohibition on the Use of "Foreign Terms" by Media Outlets
Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah, the de facto former Minister of Information and Culture, on December 9, 2023, urged media outlets in Kabul to avoid using "foreign terms" to help preserve the country’s national identity. Sources in Kabul indicated that this directive mainly targets content produced in Persian/Dari, which some de facto officials view as conflicting with "national terminology." The authorities expressed particular sensitivity toward certain Persian words they consider inconsistent with this concept. Khairkhah also cited two articles from the country’s Media Law, emphasizing the importance of protecting religious, moral, and social values. He instructed radio and television stations to broadcast the five daily calls to prayer (Adhan) and to observe Islamic occasions, including Ramadan, with reverence.
Mullah Shirin Akhund issued a directive prohibiting photography and filming in Kandahar
16: Ban on Photography and Filming of the de facto authorities’ Meetings in Kandahar Province
On February 18, 2024, Mullah Shirin Akhund, the de facto governor of Kandahar, issued a directive prohibiting photography and filming of meetings and gatherings conducted by the de facto authorities within the province. Local officials were instructed to submit written and audio reports of their activities.
17: Ban on Girls' Phone Calls to Media Outlets
The de facto authorities in Khost province officially prohibited girls’ and women’s telephone contact with media outlets. On February 24, 2024, the de facto police chief of Khost issued a directive explicitly banning any telephone communication between girls and women and radio or television stations in the province.
In a formal letter addressed to media organizations, Abdul Rashid Omari stated that "some private radio stations in Khost are promoting moral corruption by broadcasting school lessons or social programs that involve many girls." The letter further emphasizes that "girls are engaging in illegal phone calls with the presenters of these programs during both official and unofficial hours, which contributes to moral decay in society and violates Islamic principles."
He warned that if local media outlets persist in facilitating such calls, their officials will be summoned and subject to legal action.
In September 2021, the Taliban shut down the Women's Affairs Ministry and replaced it with the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
18: The law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, and New Media restrictions including a Ban on Publication of Images of living Beings
The enforcement of the law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice marks a new phase in the restrictions imposed on Afghan media and journalists. This legislation appears to reaffirm previous limitations while also codifying certain new restrictions that must be enforced. The de facto Ministry of Justice announced on August 21, 2024, that the law has been promulgated based on the decree issued by the de facto leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Article 4 of the law stipulates that it applies across all sectors. This law will be implemented in all departments, in public places, and for everyone who lives in Afghanistan.
Article 17 ambiguously states that the enforcer, or Morality Police, is duty-bound to ensure that those working for the press and news organizations observe the following virtuous rules when publishing reports: first, to publish reports that do not contradict Islamic law and religion; second, to publish reports that do not deride or humiliate Muslims; and third, to publish reports that do not contain pictures of any animate object.
Article 20 states that the duties of the enforcer regarding passenger vehicles, lorries, motorcycles, and other such vehicles include ensuring that staff and drivers of commercial vehicles observe specific rules. These rules include not playing music, not transporting any woman who is not covered, not allowing women to sit or mingle with unrelated men, and not transporting any woman who is not in the company of an adult male who is a close relative and of sound mind.
At Article 22, the duties of the enforcer regarding individual wrongful acts include preventing wrongful acts such as the improper use of tape recorders or radios, making pictures or videos of any animate object on digital devices, and the sound of a woman’s voice or any music emanating from gatherings or homes. Additionally, women not covering themselves properly and wearing neckties are also targeted.
Article 24 states that individuals committing visible wrongful acts are liable to punishment by the enforcer, who should proceed through the following steps: first, exhortation; second, reminding the person of Allah’s displeasure; third, threatening and using strong words; fourth, imposing a fine; fifth, detaining the individual in a public prison for 1–24 hours; sixth, detaining for 1–3 days; and seventh, applying any other appropriate punishment not reserved for courts. The enforcer must follow these stages when promoting virtue and prohibiting vice.
AFJC findings indicate that, in each province, local committees comprising relevant officials have been established to oversee the enforcement of the law. In Kabul, a dedicated unit from the Ministry continuously meets with media representatives to emphasize the details of and enforcement measures for this law and to urge compliance.
Result of the Campaign by the De Facto Ministry on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in 2025:
- a) Expansion of the Ban on Publishing Images of Living Beings to 23 Provinces
The ban on publishing images of living beings commenced on August 14, 2024, in Kandahar, with the shutdown of the provincial branch of the national television station and its conversion into a radio station. Subsequently, the restriction was extended to other provinces.. According to AFJC’s findings, by the end of 2025, this ban has been officially enforced in 23 out of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. As a result of this campaign, provincial branches of the national television station have been either shut down or converted into radio stations in these regions. Additionally, numerous private television channels, radio stations, and print and online media outlets have faced severe restrictions under this policy.
- Enforcement of the Ban on Publishing Images of Living Beings to 11 de facto Ministries, Agencies
The AFJC's findings indicate that in 2025, the de facto Ministry of Promoting Virtue and Prevention of Vice expanded its ban on certain government agencies and ministries. The investigation reveals that out of a total of 31 de facto ministries and agencies in Kabul, at least 11—including the Ministry of Promoting Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Higher Education, Education, Justice, Finance, Urban Development, Energy and Water, the Disaster Management Authority, the Technical Education Department, the Supreme Court, and the Administrative Reforms and Civil Service Office—have imposed restrictions on publishing images of living beings. Officials within these ministries or agencies rarely publish news content featuring images of living beings or conduct interviews or visual discussions involving such images.
This photo was published by the de facto controlled Bakhtar News Agency from the meeting between the de facto Minister of Urban Development and representatives of Afghan refugees in Pakistan on April 20, 2025.
The de facto Ministry of Information and Culture released an eight-article directive to the media outlets in Kabul on September 21, 2024.
19: Ban on the live broadcasting of political programs.
20: Prohibition of challenging and criticizing Taliban laws and policies.
21: Prohibition on inviting unapproved individuals to media programs.
19, 20, and 21: On September 21, 2024, representatives of media outlets in Kabul were invited to the de facto Ministry of Information and Culture, where they attended a meeting lasting about an hour in which they were informed of eight articles outlined in the new directives. According to the AFJC, three of these articles (1, 2, and 5) announce the new restrictions, stating that media outlets are obliged to implement them:
- Programs (discussions) should be recorded and should not be broadcast live.
- Experts must be invited according to the new list; inviting those whose names are not included in this list is forbidden.
- To invite someone whose name is not on the list, permission must be obtained from the Directorate of Media Supervision (Ministry of Information and Culture).
- Every morning, the list of programs and guests for political debates must be shared with the Directorate of Media Supervision, and action should only be taken to implement the program after receiving approval.
- Challenging the laws, policies, and decisions of the Taliban government and criticizing Taliban officials without proof is prohibited.
- The media manager, media outlet, program host, and editor of pre-recorded programs are obliged to remove weak points, sensitive topics, and criticisms of the “Islamic Emirate” (Taliban government) and its officials.
- In cases of violations of the above points, the media head, publication manager, program host, editor, and political expert (guest of the program) will be considered violators and will face consequences according to the principles.
- Media violations will be compensated in media form.
AFJC has obtained the list referenced in these directives, which includes 68 individuals. Media representatives, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to fears of retribution from the Taliban, informed AFJC that the content of the directives was communicated verbally to the media in Kabul just one day prior to this meeting, with explicit instructions to comply.
Five months after the issuance of this directive, the de facto Ministry of Information and Culture again warned Kabul-based TV stations—including Tolo News, Shamshad, One TV, and Zhwandoon—about non-compliance with the directive, especially regarding live programming. On February 9, 2025, officials from several Kabul TV stations were summoned by the Ministry and instructed to cease broadcasting political programs and debates. Two days later, some TV journalists reported to AFJC that the directive also applies to economic discussions that challenge the Taliban government, forcing private stations to comply. They were told that, if necessary, they could only communicate with Taliban government spokespersons. A journalist from a private station in Kabul stated in December 2025 that, in some cases, individuals outside the approved list have been invited to roundtables, but intelligence officials have warned that structural problems or intra-regime conflicts should not be discussed in political or economic debates. They are also prohibited from interviewing or engaging with political opponents or opposition figures. Additionally, the journalists have been warned against reporting on issues such as the UNAMA reports on security challenges in Afghanistan or UN sanctions monitoring reports on the de facto authorities. It is also prohibited to produce exclusive reports or conduct interviews with the public on topics that challenge the de facto, including bans on female higher education and restrictions on women working outside the home.
- Obligation to Label Killed Ruling Officials as “Martyrs”
In 2024, pressure increased on media outlets to refer to the slain de facto officials and armed personnel of the de facto authority as “martyrs,” especially following the death of Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, the de facto Minister of Refugees, in blast in Kabul on December 11. Several media outlets in Kabul reported to AFJC that they faced pressure from the de facto Ministry of Information and Culture and the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), prompting some to revise their reports and include the term “martyr” in their coverage.
The de facto authorities in Kandahar province, in a letter dated March 17, 2025, imposed new restrictions on radio stations.
- Mandatory Use of Religious Titles for the de facto leader and Ban on Unapproved Reporting in Kandahar
On March 17, 2025, the Kandahar Directorate of Information and Culture issued an official letter imposing new restrictions on media outlets. Titled "Essential Guidelines for Kandahar Radio Stations," the directives include four key points:
- Radio programs and reports must exclusively use the title "His Excellency Amir al-Mu'minin, may Allah protect him" for the Taliban leader, and refer to the government as "Islamic Emirate."
- The voices of women are strictly prohibited on radio broadcasts, and the dissemination of women’s messages in entertainment programs is also forbidden.
- Publishing advertisements for any medicines, cosmetic creams, powders, and promoting clinics or hospitals without an official license from the Public Health Directorate is banned.
- Staff traveling within Kandahar to record reports or programs must possess official permits from the Kandahar Directorate of Information and Culture.
AFJC’s finding shows that the de facto-controlled state media already adopting the terms and religious titles for the leader and other de facto authorities, however, the independent media outlets across the country are under the pressure from the local authorities to use these terms and title. Furthermore, across all provinces, obtaining official permits and prior coordination with local authorities are mandatory for reporting and interviews. Journalists must navigate red lines—though often ambiguous—set by the de facto regime regarding national interests and Islamic values.
Foreign journalists seeking to report from Afghanistan must submit their requests in advance to the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifying their intended coverage topics. A local journalist with experience working alongside foreign correspondents explained that if the report focuses on topics of interest to de facto authorities—such as "security improvements" or "reconstruction"—work permits are granted. Otherwise, requests are often delayed for months, with officials claiming they are under review.
Afghanistan Fiber Optic Network
24: Nationwide internet shutdown to "prevent immoral acts"
The nationwide fiber optic internet in Afghanistan was shut down on September 29, 2025, by order of the de facto leader, Hibatullah Akhunzada. The initial outage began in Balkh Province and was subsequently extended across the entire country.
Haji Zaid, spokesperson for the de facto governor in Balkh, announced via X that the fiber optic cable had been completely cut in the province in accordance with the Taliban leader’s directive, citing "prevention of immoral corruption" as the rationale. The internet remained offline for two days and was restored on October 1, returning to normal functioning. Beyond economic repercussions, the shutdown significantly restricted public access to online information and disrupted media activities within the country.
NetBlocks, an internet monitoring organization, reported that Afghanistan experienced a total internet blackout for 48 hours.
Some media outlets indicated that the decision to shut down the internet was made during a meeting in early September 2025, involving de facto provincial governors from Nangarhar, Balkh, Kandahar, and Herat, with Akhunzada present in Kandahar. Following this, Akhunzada directed the de facto Ministry of Communications to filter internet content; however, due to the ministry’s limited capacity to effectively filter or restrict user access, he ordered a complete shutdown instead. The head of an independent television station in Kabul expressed concern that the de facto authorities might seek to restrict or filter internet access as soon as they obtain the necessary financial and technical resources. Such actions, he warned, would severely impact media outlets and access to information.