The Lasting Presence Of Journalism In Afghanistan: Reporting Beyond Borders

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, journalists have been forced to flee the country, go into hiding, or adapt their content to the strict Taliban media guidelines. Many reporters have been beaten, arrested, or killed. Female journalists are especially vulnerable to violence and discrimination.

Journalism is one of the most dangerous professions in Afghanistan. According to Reporters Without Borders, at least 85 local Afghan journalists have been killed in connection with their work in the past 20 years.

In the wake of the Taliban's takeover, top executives of leading U.S. newspapers have turned to the Biden administration for help in evacuating Afghan journalists from the country.

The dangers faced by Afghan journalists

Journalism is one of the most dangerous professions in Afghanistan. Afghan journalists face a multitude of dangers, from targeted killings to censorship and violence.

Since the Taliban seized control of the country in 1996, journalism has been almost non-existent. Television sets were destroyed, and all TV news channels disappeared overnight. Photos, commentary, and newspaper editorials were banned, and most print and media publications were shut down. Only strict religious radio programming and propaganda news articles for one newspaper, The Islamic Emirate, were permitted to continue.

The return of the Taliban in 2021 has resulted in a similar pattern of media suppression. More than 80% of Afghanistan's women journalists have had to stop working since 15 August 2021, and of the roughly 12,000 journalists in the country that year, more than two-thirds have abandoned the profession. The Taliban has imposed media regulations that curtail critical independent reporting, with vague and sweeping rules that have led to self-censorship among journalists.

Afghan journalists, particularly women, face heightened risks and persecution since the Taliban's political takeover. There have been reports of targeted killings of journalists and their family members, home raids, threats, and intimidation in areas controlled by the Taliban. Female journalists are especially targeted and are forced to wear masks whenever they appear on camera. They cannot participate in talk shows with men or ask them questions, and many have had to abandon their careers.

Journalists covering Taliban activities are at risk of arrest for collaborating and spreading propaganda. They may also be forced to work for the intelligence services or face arrest, kidnapping, or assassination. In addition, there is a lack of laws providing protection for journalists, leaving them vulnerable to legal problems and persecution.

The Taliban's treatment of journalists

Journalists in Afghanistan have been subjected to intimidation, physical violence, detention, and torture at the hands of the Taliban. In September 2021, two reporters for the Etilaatroz newspaper, Taqi Daryabi and Nematullah Naqdi, were detained by the Taliban while covering a women's protest in Kabul. They were beaten so badly that they lost consciousness and had to be hospitalised. In another incident, four journalists from the same newspaper were slapped, pushed, and had their belongings confiscated when they went to the police station to inquire about their detained colleagues.

The Taliban has also been accused of targeting female journalists, with several women reporters being forced to flee the country or give up their profession due to threats and violence. In March 2022, three female employees of Enikass Radio and TV were shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

In addition to physical violence, the Taliban has imposed strict media guidelines and censorship. Journalists are not allowed to report on certain issues such as insecurity, human rights, and corruption. Female journalists face additional restrictions, such as being banned from appearing on TV or radio programs and not being allowed to interview men. The Taliban has also instructed media outlets to follow their directives and has suspended or shut down several TV and radio stations that failed to comply with their rules.

The treatment of journalists by the Taliban has led to a brain drain in the country, with many journalists choosing to flee Afghanistan or go into hiding. Media organisations and human rights groups have appealed to the international community to pressure the Taliban to respect freedom of speech and protect journalists.

The evacuation of journalists from Afghanistan

The Evacuation Process

The evacuation of journalists and media personnel from Afghanistan began following the Taliban's takeover of the country in August 2021. Media organizations, including the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal, appealed to the U.S. government and international allies for assistance in evacuating their Afghan colleagues and their families. The process involved close coordination with the Biden administration, the government of Qatar, and other international partners.

U.S. news organizations played a crucial role in evacuating their Afghan journalists and staff members. For example, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, a correspondent for the Times and a former Marine, flew back into Kabul to help extract Afghan journalists, coordinating their exit from the U.S. side of the airport.

Challenges and Obstacles

The evacuation process faced several challenges and obstacles, including the chaotic and rapidly changing situation on the ground. Many journalists and their families faced difficulties in reaching the airport, with some being turned away at the gates or unable to board evacuation flights. The presence of Taliban militants, who were conducting searches and imposing restrictions, further complicated the evacuation efforts.

Ongoing Dangers and Risks

Even after the initial evacuation efforts, journalists and media workers in Afghanistan continue to face significant dangers and risks. The Taliban has been known to target journalists, particularly those who have worked with foreign media organizations or are perceived as critical of the Taliban regime. There have been reports of journalists being detained, beaten, and subjected to threats and violence.

Female journalists face additional risks due to the Taliban's hostility towards women's rights and their previous record of repression during their rule from 1996 to 2001. The Taliban has indicated that it will allow Afghans to travel out of the country but has also suggested it does not want an exodus of educated Afghans, creating uncertainty for those still striving to leave.

International Support and Refugee Status

International media-support organizations and governments have played a role in assisting evacuated journalists. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), for instance, has helped evacuate Afghan journalists and provided emergency administrative and financial assistance. Other organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and Free Press Unlimited, have offered resources and support for evacuation and asylum processes.

Many evacuated journalists have sought refuge in Western countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Spain. However, the process of resettlement can be challenging, with long asylum application processes and restrictions on work and independence during this period.

Ongoing Efforts and Advocacy

There are ongoing efforts to support and evacuate journalists who remain in Afghanistan or are stranded in third-party countries. Organizations like Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) are working to evacuate vulnerable Afghans, including journalists and human rights advocates, by partnering with governments and media organizations to expedite visa processing and facilitate safe passage.

Advocacy groups and media companies have also been vocal in urging governments to prioritize the safety and evacuation of journalists. For example, a group of 67 U.S. lawmakers wrote a letter to President Biden, appealing for action to protect journalists and noting the administration's efforts to help reporters from private U.S. news organizations.

The future of journalism in Afghanistan

Journalism in Afghanistan has always been a dangerous profession. Since 2005, at least 85 local Afghan journalists have been killed in connection with their work, with the worst year being 2018 when nine journalists were killed by a bomb aimed at media personnel. The dangers journalists face include targeted killings, beatings, threats, violence, detention, and torture.

In the wake of the Taliban's return to power, the future of journalism in Afghanistan looks increasingly uncertain. The Taliban has a history of suppressing press freedom, having banned television and shut down all news channels overnight during their previous rule in the 1990s. This time around, the group has promised to honor a free press, but journalists in Afghanistan remain skeptical.

In the immediate aftermath of the Taliban's takeover, hundreds of journalists were forced to flee the country, and many more remain in hiding, fearing persecution. Those who have chosen to stay and continue their work face a multitude of challenges and risks. The Taliban has imposed strict media guidelines, and journalists who do not conform to these guidelines risk detention, beatings, and worse.

Despite the dangers and challenges, some journalists remain committed to their profession. They believe that journalism is a sacred duty and a force for change in Afghanistan. They hope to offer an alternative narrative to the typical portrayals of their country in the Western media and to tell the untold stories of ordinary Afghans.

The role of the US government in protecting journalists

The US government has been heavily criticised for its failure to protect journalists in Afghanistan. In the wake of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, many journalists were left stranded in the country, with the Biden administration failing to act on repeated warnings about the 600 or so employees, contractors and family members who worked for US-sponsored news organisations.

The US government did, however, play a role in the evacuation of journalists from Afghanistan. In a letter to Joe Biden, the publishers of the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal requested safe passage out of Kabul for their Afghan colleagues and family members. The Biden administration pledged to bring these journalists to safety, and by late August 2021, 128 Afghan colleagues and family members of New York Times employees had been evacuated. The US government also worked with other nations and organisations to coordinate the evacuation of journalists, with the Ukrainian government flying a number of Afghan journalists out of Kabul.

The US government has also been criticised for its failure to adequately investigate and prosecute incidents of violence against journalists. In 2014, for example, a Kabul-based journalist was threatened and beaten by a group of men on motorcycles after publishing an article on unlawful land seizures in the city. The police took no action, and the journalist was forced to leave the country.

In response to these criticisms, the US government has pledged to do more to protect journalists in Afghanistan. In 2016, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued a presidential decree reaffirming the government's commitment to freedom of expression and the protection of media workers. The decree commits the government to expediting investigations into the killings of journalists and making the results of these inquiries public. The US government has also urged the Afghan government to take immediate action to protect journalists, calling on them to rigorously investigate and prosecute threats and attacks on journalists.

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