Afghanistan’s media faces new ban on images of people, animals

AFGHANISTAN'S morality ministry is gradually enforcing a restriction on images of living beings in media, with several provinces now facing limitations.

Journalists across the country report that some Taliban officials are also refusing to be filmed or photographed. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (PVPV) has been holding meetings with media personnel in various provinces since mid-October.

Journalists have been informed that this restriction, under a "vice and virtue" law, applies to images of people and animals and will be implemented progressively. While television was entirely banned during the Taliban’s previous rule from 1996 to 2001, this type of restriction had not been enforced since they took power three years ago.

Concerns are rising among journalists over the possibility of a complete ban, which would make Afghanistan the only Muslim-majority country to enforce such a measure. One journalist in Daikundi, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concern that banning images could severely impact journalism in the country. He stated, “taking photos and images is an inseparable part of journalism,” and noted that recent PVPV announcements have restricted media to recording only audio at events in Daikundi.

Although the ban is not yet fully enforced, there are signs of expanding limitations. Some ministries and officials in Kabul continue to post images of people, but there are reports of restrictions spreading in various regions. Celia Mercier, head of the South Asia Desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), commented that while the supreme leader and officials in Kandahar appear to favour such restrictions, “some Taliban officials seem to not necessarily agree with these new restrictions.” She added that further restrictions could lead to public discontent.

The PVPV ministry’s spokesman Saiful Islam Khyber stated on October 14 that this ban “applies to all Afghanistan... and it will be implemented gradually.” Some events have already prohibited photography, including private gatherings and official meetings held by provincial ministries and the PVPV ministry itself.

Journalists in provinces such as Nangarhar and Helmand report being warned against taking photos or filming living beings. A meeting held in Kabul and others across five provinces only allowed audio recording, while journalists were asked to stow their phones.

Media outlets in certain provinces are adjusting to these changes. In Takhar, two provincial TV channels ceased showing images of living beings, instead airing logos and landscapes with audio. Meanwhile, the information ministry has not commented on the enforcement of these rules.

Afghanistan has recently fallen in RSF’s global ranking for press freedom, currently standing at 178 out of 180. Although restrictions have been stricter in some areas, major broadcasters like Tolo News and the national RTA channel are still airing footage of people and animals. Mercier remarked that while there are fears of a complete media ban on images, the Taliban’s use of media for communication and promotion could counteract such a total ban.

(With inputs from AFP)