The Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Herat has instructed journalists in the province to refrain from photographing the group’s officials during both official and unofficial meetings.
This latest directive follows similar restrictions previously enforced in other provinces across Afghanistan.
On Sunday, the Afghanistan Journalists Support Organisation (AJSO) issued a statement, citing local sources in Herat, to announce the new media restriction. The organisation expressed deep concern over the Taliban's increasing crackdown on press freedom, noting that such measures not only stifle media independence but also violate the fundamental rights of Afghan citizens.
In its statement, the AJSO called on international institutions and freedom of expression advocacy groups to take decisive action to address the deteriorating media situation in Afghanistan. The organisation also urged the Taliban to respect media freedom and create a safer environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear of reprisal.
This restriction on media freedom comes amid a broader pattern of increasing censorship by the Taliban. In recent months, similar bans have been imposed in multiple provinces, including Nangarhar, where officials have prohibited the publication of images of living beings, including photographs and videos. These actions are part of a wider trend of mounting media restrictions that have severely limited press freedom throughout the country.
