Media Officials' Talks With Taliban On Ban On Broadcast Of 'Images Of Living Beings' Fails

Sources told Afghanistan International that representatives of private media met Taliban officials in Kandahar to discuss their concerns regarding the ban on publication of images of ‘living beings’ and the future of media.

According to sources, Taliban officials did not "respond positively" to the concerns of TV officials.

A source told Afghanistan International that the Taliban's Ministry of Information and Culture in Kabul, after the meeting with representatives of television stations and organisations supporting journalists, advised them to meet and discuss the ban on the publication of images of living creatures with senior Taliban officials in Kandahar.

"Last week, a number of officials of private television went to Kandahar in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Culture to discuss the future of television with Taliban leaders," the source said.

The source added that Taliban leaders have not responded positively to the concerns of the private media outlets.

The Taliban's Law for the Promotion of Virtue prohibits the photography and publication of images of living creatures, and a number of television stations have stopped broadcasting due to this restriction.

Another source said that media officials shared their concerns with Taliban leaders during the meeting, and apparently they assured them that televisions would not be blocked. However, media officials said that the ban on the publication of images of living creatures will pave the way for the gradual closure of televisions.

Sources claimed that media officials and organisations supporting journalists want to encourage Taliban leaders in Kandahar, especially Taliban leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, to show flexibility in this regard.
According to the source, one step in this regard is the establishment of a joint commission or committee that will hold talks with various Taliban leaders.

Officials of Afghanistan's private television stations have not yet confirmed the full details of the meeting, but journalists and media workers are deeply concerned about the implementation of the law.