It comes as hundreds of media organizations have been forced to close due to economic collapse, threats and draconian restrictions on reporting since the Islamic outfit came to power.

“The Islamic Emirate is committed to freedom of the media, but the media is also required to be impartial and committed to Islamic and national values. We seek to remove barriers to the media and urge them to abide by the media law” , said the spokesperson. for the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, wrote on Twitter.

Thousands of journalists and media professionals, especially women, have lost their jobs, according to a major new investigation.

The survey, conducted by the IFJ-affiliated National Union of Afghan Journalists (ANJU) in 33 provinces, shows that 318 outlets have closed since August 15, 2021. Only 305 of the 623 outlets that were active before the Taliban do take control always work.

The crisis has hit newspapers the hardest, with only 20 out of 114 continuing to publish. 51 TV channels, 132 radio stations and 49 online media have ceased operations according to the report compiled for the IFJ.

The collapse of the media and threats against journalists mean that only 2,334 journalists are still working, compared to 5,069 before the Taliban. Only 243 women are still employed by the media. 72 percent of those who lost their jobs are women, the IFJ said in a statement.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “For the first time, from data collected from 33 provinces, we can see the true scale of the crisis affecting journalism in Afghanistan. From threats to draconian reporting restrictions and economic collapse to withdrawal of development funding the picture is dire not only for journalists who have lost their jobs or been forced to flee, but also for citizens who see themselves deny access to information.

“The international community must urgently provide the necessary aid and assistance to help journalists and journalism shine a light on what is happening across Afghanistan and address the humanitarian crisis facing journalists and their families – both those who have been forced to flee and those who remain but without work and in poverty,” Bellanger added.