PAKISTAN READER

Siddhi Halyur Siddhi Halyur is an undergraduate from St. Joseph's University currently interning at NIAS.Â

On 30 April, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released the World Press Freedom Index on the state of media freedom globally. According to the report, Afghanistan ranks 175 out of 180 in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index. The country’s lowest indicator is its legal indicator, where it ranks 178. It ranks 158 at the political indicator, 175 at the social, and 165 at the economic. This highlights that Afghanistan’s press freedom is curbed by multiple factors. Resulting in a media that is state-controlled and a victim of social and economic exclusion. 

The following are the four key takeaways on the state of Afghanistan’s media landscape based on the RSF World Press Freedom Report 2026. 

1. Political control over media
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban regime has subjected the media to its authority. The regime exercises centralized authority that restricts media independence. Information is expected to align with the political and ideological beliefs of the state, curbing the role of the press in initiating public debate and unbiased information. State-controlled media also reduce the visibility civil society receives and hinder its demand for government accountability. Afghanistan’s low political indicators are a stark reflection of this aggressive monitoring. 

2. Legal and religious restrictions imposed on media
Journalists lack adequate legal protection to execute their jobs effectively. Instead, the Taliban's rule has imposed morality-based controls on the media. After the Taliban regime introduced the “11 rules of journalism,” journalists resort to self-censorship to avoid persecution. The media is also forced to gradually align with Sharia law. Editors avoid stories on minorities, education, or women to fit within the framework set by the law and to abide by the religion. The legal system and constant change of rules create an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among the media, making independent journalism impossible. 

3. The press is constrained by economic vulnerabilities 
Ranking 165 out of 180 with a score of 27.28 proves how economically fragile the media in Afghanistan really is. Lack of stable funding has forced journalists to stop reporting independently. Before the Taliban took over in 2022, various international aids provided most of the media funding. After 2022, these aids were cut off or reduced, and Afghanistan’s aid-dependent economy collapsed. The country’s media survived on international media projects and foreign projects. Without donor support, media outlets cannot afford to pay their journalists, maintain offices, or run broadcasts. Another reason for the media's lack of funds is the decline of advertisements. Advertising is one of the primary sources of revenue in any media outlet. Newspapers, radio stations, and even digital media outlets bank on these funds to be able to report independently. Reduction in advertisement has led to downsizing of staff and coverage due to high operational costs, like taxes, equipment, and something as basic as electricity itself. 

4. Threats to personal safety and state surveillance over press
Afghanistan’s security indicators lie at 177 out of 180, lower than its overall position in the press freedom index. Security issues are one of the strongest reasons for the collapse of the media. Journalists have been forced to flee the country or leave their profession due to fear. The Taliban constantly targets journalists who continue to work, harassing them and even arresting them in some cases. The General Directorate of Intelligence constantly surveils the media, especially journalists reporting on political issues. Reports indicate forced deportations, arrests, or brutality against these journalists. The journalists are watched through various levels of the government, from local authorities monitoring grassroots journalism to a broader aspect of social media tracking or newsroom supervision. Authorities subject journalists working with foreign media to the utmost scrutiny and often accuse them of spying or spreading propaganda. This environment has created a sense of precaution amongst the media to ensure survival. 

 References 
“Reporters Without borders, World Press Freedom Index, Afghanistan,” Reporters Sans Frontieres, 30 April 2026
 
“Call for urgent protection of journalists in Afghanistan amid ongoing restrictions on press freedom,” United Nations Statements, 30 April 2026

“Afghanistan: Taliban Trample Media Freedom Journalists Face Arrest, Torture; Journalists in Exile at Risk of Forced Return,” Human Rights Watch, 23 October 2025 

Print

Bookmark