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New Restrictions on Media Operations in Afghanistan: The Taliban’s Ban on Images and Videos of Living Things

The recent decree by the Taliban banning images and videos of “living things” poses significant challenges for journalists operating in Afghanistan. Reporters have expressed concerns that this ban severely hampers their ability to report effectively on the country’s situation.

The Afghan ministry for vice and virtue has instructed media outlets in several provinces, including Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, and Takhar, to refrain from presenting images of “living things with a soul,” a directive interpreted to encompass both people and animals. Helmand province has recently joined this restrictive list, enforcing a blanket policy against images depicting living beings to align with the Taliban’s interpretation of moral laws.

Officials in Helmand announced that the ban on capturing images or videos of living creatures would be implemented immediately, although they provided no details regarding enforcement or potential exceptions to this directive.

Saif ul Islam Khyber, a spokesperson for the ministry, confirmed to the Associated Press that state-run media had already ceased showcasing images of living entities in certain regions in adherence to this new policy.

This regulation is part of a broader set of morality laws released by the Taliban in August. Notably, officials clarified that the prohibition does not apply to images of high-profile Taliban leaders.

Journalists are now faced with the reality that they cannot capture photographs or videos of human subjects or animals. This situation is particularly distressing for photojournalists, who fear that their professions are at risk due to these limitations. One anonymous photojournalist shared their perspective with The Independent, stating, “What is allowed? Photos of buildings, banners, and empty spaces. Landscapes and mountains are also allowed for now.”

This individual highlighted the dire implications of the ban, expressing grave concerns over its impact on their livelihood, “This is a worsening situation for me and other photojournalists. This puts an end to our work of taking photos. If I don’t take pictures, then I don’t get paid. I get paid for the photographs I send to news agencies.”

The harsh media landscape in Afghanistan has triggered frustrations among journalists, as they encounter harassment from officials. The journalist recounted that local authorities frequently obstruct photography at various venues and limit access to significant events. They claimed that Taliban leaders have additionally begun restricting images of women, further complicating reporting efforts.

Afghanistan stands alone as the only nation to impose such stringent media restrictions, reminiscent of the oppressive measures enforced during the Taliban’s previous governance in the late 1990s. The situation represents a significant regression for freedom of expression in the country, according to many observers.

Another photojournalist, who covered Afghanistan until the Taliban’s takeover, indicated that the new edict marks a troubling turning point, obscuring the outside world’s view of ongoing human rights violations. Massoud Hossaini, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, stressed the urgency of the situation: “Make no mistake, this is one of the last times the international community can have free access to photos and videos coming out of Afghanistan, some highlighting grave human rights abuses. It will now come at the cost of the safety of media workers.”

Hossaini recounted previous threats to his life due to his work, emphasizing the perilous nature of covering sensitive topics under Taliban rule. He recalled being told by local leaders that taking pictures is “haram,” or forbidden, and that failure to comply would have severe consequences: “We are warning you, if you do not stop this we will punish you in the Islamic way. They meant death, not just flogging or prison.”

The implications of this ban on visual reporting raise critical questions about the future of media freedom in Afghanistan and the international community’s response to the evolving landscape.

Source
www.yahoo.com