According to Reporters Without Borders, Afghanistan under Taliban rule ranks 175th out of 180 countries, with a score of 19.51. In the index, Norway, Netherlands, and Estonia top the rankings, while Afghanistan is placed near the bottom alongside Iran, China, and North Korea. The organization states that since the Taliban’s return to power, press freedom has been severely restricted, with media outlets forced to publish controlled content. It adds that the media environment lacks diversity and that repression of journalists has intensified. The report notes that within the first three months, 43 percent of media outlets shut down and two-thirds of journalists left their jobs. Most female journalists have also lost their positions, while those remaining face severe restrictions. According to the report, criticism of the Taliban is prohibited, and self-censorship has become widespread. In some cases, journalists are required to submit their reports to authorities before publication. The report further highlights arrests and pressure on journalists, particularly those associated with foreign media outlets.
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