Freedom of Expression Crisis in Afghanistan; 8% Increase in Restrictions in 2024

In its 2024 report, the AJSO organization sheds light on the serious challenges faced by female journalists in Afghanistan.

Gender discrimination, fear of exposing the truth, and lack of legal guarantees are the main obstacles preventing them from accessing information. Meanwhile, media repression in Afghanistan has increased by 8% compared to 2023.

The AJSO press freedom organization states that in 2024, female journalists in Afghanistan faced significant challenges in accessing information.

In its report released on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, the organization mentions that Afghanistan’s current security institutions, particularly the office of the Taliban Prime Minister, refuse to provide information to female journalists, while independent analysts and health workers are granted easier access to information.

According to the findings, female journalists have identified gender discrimination (38%) and fear of exposing the truth (33%) as the main factors preventing the Taliban government from sharing information.

The report also states that two-thirds of respondents pointed to the lack of legal guarantees and expressed that they are not safe in a non-accountable system.

The organization emphasizes that the need for support and defense of freedom of expression is more urgent than ever in Afghanistan, particularly for female journalists.

This report comes at a time when, earlier, the Afghanistan Journalists Center had reported on December 26 that media repression in Afghanistan had increased by 8% compared to 2023.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center’s report included 18 cases of media activity being halted due to Taliban restrictions and dozens of journalists being detained by the group.