Afghanistan Freedom of Expression House: 80 journalists have been arrested and tortured in the past eight months

The Afghanistan Freedom of Expression House has expressed concern about the continuing pressure on the media, undue threats, arrests and torture of journalists and media workers by Taliban forces.

The agency said 80 journalists and media workers had been arrested and tortured in the past eight months. At least 6,400 journalists and media workers have been laid off, and about 230 media houses have been shut down.

The statement said that since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the media has come under severe pressure and threats, in violation to the Access to Information Act and the Public Media Act, which has been declared effective by the caretaker government.