The United Nations has called on the Taliban to respect media freedom
The Office of the United Nations Political Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) called on the Taliban to respect the freedom of the media.
Reporting 336 cases of human rights abuses against journalists and media workers from August 15, 2021, to September 30, 2024, the United Nations has raised alarm over the declining situation of media freedom in Afghanistan. Among these are 75 cases of threats or intimidation, 130 cases of torture or ill-treatment, and 256 arbitrary arrests and detentions.
The Special Representative for Afghanistan of the UN Secretary General, Roza Otenbaeva, underlined the indispensable need of a free press in every nation. She pointed out the difficulties Afghan reporters encounter, including ambiguous rules on news content and the possibility of jail or intimidation for critical reporting. She underlined, "having a free press is not a choice but a necessity."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, responded to the report as well and noted the concerning results. To safeguard media freedom and reporters, he urged Taliban authorities to follow international law, especially commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Since the Taliban took control Afghanistan in 2021, the media scene has become ever more hostile. Constant pressure is placed on journalists; many of them allege that censorship, intimidation, and fear of punishment prevent them from functioning independently.
The UN keeps pushing the Taliban to establish a safer atmosphere for reporters and respect their rights under international accords, therefore safeguarding press liberties in Afghanistan. The paper reminds us sharply of the difficulties media professionals experience in one of the most restricted workplaces in the world.
