Afghanistan, May 2 -- UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, says independent journalism in Afghanistan has been almost completely dismantled, marking a severe decline in press freedom since 2021.
In a message marking World Press Freedom Day, Bennett said Afghan journalists face rising censorship, intimidation, arbitrary detention, and systematic restrictions on reporting.
He stated that many journalists have been arrested simply for carrying out their professional duties and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, media outlets have been placed under strict control, with content heavily restricted and reporting guidelines limiting what can be publis...