The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has condemned the Taliban’s decision to prohibit employees of government institutions from using smartphones, describing it as a further step toward restricting freedom of expression and access to information. The organization warned that implementing the decision could create additional obstacles to the flow of information and public communication.
According to the AFJC, Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader, issued the order during a meeting with a number of provincial governors in Kandahar. Based on information released by the organization, the directive has so far been communicated to the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Logar, Balkh, Kunduz, Baghlan, Badghis, Badakhshan, Herat, Helmand, and Ghazni.
The decision comes amid a series of existing restrictions on media activities and journalists’ access to information. These measures have included bans on publishing images of living beings and limitations on conducting video interviews.
A local journalist in Khost told the AFJC that, following the implementation of the directive, the information-sharing process of local government offices previously conducted through dedicated WhatsApp groups has come to a complete halt.
The organization also reported that correspondents of the state-run Bakhtar News Agency in the provinces have been instructed to use email for official communications. The AFJC described this measure as another indication of increasing restrictions on access to information.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center called on the Taliban to reconsider the decision and to respect citizens’ right to access information, along with their other fundamental rights.
Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan ranks 175th out of 180 countries in the global Press Freedom Index. Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the state of freedom of expression and media operations in the country.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
