Afghan media outlet Toro News reported on Tuesday that leaders of the terrorist group Taliban have publicly accused news agency photographers of violating Islamic law by taking photos and videos. expressed dissatisfaction.
Mohammad Hashim Shahid Rohr, the head of the Taliban’s Invitation and Guidance Directorate, also objected to the fact that all remaining journalists on Afghan television were men and had shaved faces, saying that this meant that journalists were considered “unscrupulous.” ” and set a bad precedent. For the viewers. “Invitation Guidance Bureau” person in charge It aims, among other things, to ensure “the implementation of Islamic rules,” impose “order and discipline” on civil servants, and “hold religious seminars.”
Saheed Rohr’s demand that the journalists accused of crimes stop working comes less than a month after the Taliban’s political office held a rally. meeting He held talks with prominent Afghan leaders, including the head of the Afghan news agency Ariana News, during which he declared that the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) is “committed to freedom of expression.”
The Taliban have ruled Afghanistan uncontested since the terrorists took control of Kabul in August 2021. As a result, US President Joe Biden has decided to abandon the deal brokered by his predecessor Donald Trump and extend the US military presence in the country. In response to Biden’s extension of the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the Taliban announced they would no longer attack the U.S.-backed government, prompting the rapid collapse of the country’s military.
Immediately after taking over, Taliban leaders promised to respect press freedom within their fundamentalist interpretations. sharia, or Islamic law. Their persecution of journalists, especially women, widespread disregard for human rights, violent repression of dissidents, and the return of terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda to the country all violate the Taliban’s early promise to restore the nation. Islamic emirate. ”
“Members of the media, grow beards and stop shaving. Taking pictures is a grave sin, so don’t waste your time,” Shahid Rohr was reported to have scolded for his recent remarks. It is being toro news. “In the afterlife, Allah will command you to give souls to your pictures, but then you will not be able to do it.”
The Taliban marked the second anniversary of their takeover of the country on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Sidiqullah Alizai)
Shahid Rohr described journalists as “friends” but lamented that they “continue to commit crimes.”They are [journalists] It also concentrates on vices. ”
“They only publish what scholars say that they think is bad in front of people and the world, and they cut out the context and context of what they say,” he added, abruptly introducing a new counterargument.
In a meeting with the head of Ariana News, the country’s main news network, in late January, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Maulavi Abdul Kabir claimed that the Taliban was interested in respecting press freedom. The Taliban-affiliated Bakhtar news agency gave no indication that Mr. Kabir objected to cameramen recording the news as un-Islamic.
“The deputy prime minister considered the activities of private media as important as government media,” Bakhtar said. report. “The Islamic Emirate values freedom of expression and has encouraged private media as much as possible to resolve issues.”
Shahid Rohr’s criticism of photographers who take photos and videos contradicts the actions of other Taliban officials, especially Zabihullah Mujahid, the terrorists’ top spokesperson who frequently publishes photos and videos on Twitter. It seems so.
د اسلامي امارت د ویاند مرستیال معرفي شو
د عالیقدر امیرالمومنین حفظه الله د لارښوونې په اساس محترم ملا حمدالله فط رت د اسلامي امارت د وی اند د مرستیال په توګه له ټاکل کېدو وروسته، نن رسماً Hey there. pic.twitter.com/5s0G50d4LK— Zabehulah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 18, 2024
په کابل کې د آذربایجان جمهوریت سفیر ښاغلي الهام محمدوف د ا.ا.ا. د بهرنیو چارو وزیر مولوي امیر خان متقي سره په تعارفي ناسته کې په کابل کې د سفارت پرانیستلو په اړه د هغه هېواد د بهرنیو چارو وزارت رسمي لیک د بهرن یو چارو وزیر ته وړاندې کړ. https://t.co/48qlizwrcs
— Zabehulah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 15, 2024
In his first press conference on behalf of the Taliban in 2016 as spokesman for Afghanistan’s new government, Mujahid personally pledged to respect the right of jihadists to do their work (as long as it does not go against the “personal values”). August 2021.
“We are working with the media within a cultural framework. Private media can remain free and independent, and with a certain level of demand for media, they can continue to operate,” Mujahid said. Ta. Said at that time. “One is that Islam is a very important value for our country, and there should be nothing that goes against Islamic values.”
President Mujahid also called on journalists to be “fair” and “not work against national values.”
In fact, the Taliban almost immediately tried to silence legitimate journalism. Toro News reported that shortly after the fall of Kabul, Taliban terrorists stormed the office and disarmed the security staff as part of a larger effort to confiscate all privately owned firearms. Reports at the time also indicated that terrorists were conducting door-to-door searches to find and silence journalists.
Women, especially female news anchors who regularly appear on television, endured the greatest proportion of Taliban repression. In August 2021, the Taliban ordered all women to stay at home indefinitely, saying it was necessary to protect women. This edict remains in effect as of this writing.
One of the few women allowed to appear on television ordered Cover your face completely.
“As a female journalist, I have to think twice about everything I do,” an anonymous reporter told Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in August 2023. “Female journalists cannot participate in talk shows with men or ask questions to men. Female journalists cannot participate in talk shows with men.” Because of this, many female journalists are forced to give up their careers. I no longer get it. Rather than feel confined to their desks, many have chosen to leave the newsroom and stay home. ”
