At least 153 media stopped working in 20 provinces of Afghanistan after the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) seized control over the country on August 15, APA reports citing Tolo News.
The main reasons for media shutdown are the difficult economic situation and various restrictions being imposed by the Taliban at various levels.
“If organizations that support the media turn a blind eye to the current situation, then we will see the last remaining editions and TV channels close,” says Hujatullah Mujadidi, deputy president of the Association of Independent Journalists of Afghanistan.
“We urge international organizations to immediately take action to resolve this problem. Otherwise, the freedom of press, as well as other human and civil freedoms in Afghanistan will soon come to an end,” says Masroor Lutfi, representative of the National Journalist Union of Afghanistan.
