Taliban Directs Afghan Media to Follow Group's Guidelines, 'Islamic Sharia'

Zia ul Haq Haqmal, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture for the Taliban, emphasised the need for media compliance with the group's policies, emphasising "national unity and Islamic Sharia laws" in their reports.

Khairullah Khairkhwa, Minister of Information and Culture for the Taliban also highlighted the importance of maintaining respect for individual "privacy" and refraining from insulting anyone in media content.

In a recent meeting in Kabul titled "Newspapers and National Languages - History, Development, Challenges, and Solutions," the Taliban addressed various media-related topics.

Khairkhwa underscored the necessity for media outlets to align with the "Islamic principles" upheld by the Taliban government, particularly regarding the respect for individual privacy.

The Taliban have implemented several restrictive measures affecting media operations in Afghanistan over the last two years.

Instances have been reported where Taliban officials pre-screen the content of media publications prior to their dissemination.

Despite these restrictions, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, maintains that Afghan media continue to operate with freedom.

He asserts that the Taliban have treated journalists fairly in Afghanistan, noting that only those under suspicion have been detained for further enquiry.