The Afghanistan Free Media Support Organization (AMSO) has welcomed the move by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to include the Taliban's leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, in its 2026 global list of "Predators of Press Freedom." AMSO described the action as a significant step toward holding the Taliban accountable for widespread restrictions on media in Afghanistan.
In a statement released on Tuesday, November 3, AMSO said the list, which includes 33 individuals and entities violating press freedom worldwide, draws the international community's attention to the dire state of free expression in Afghanistan. RSF had announced on Monday that it added the Taliban leader and Donald Trump to the list for their roles in suppressing the media.
AMSO's statement noted that since returning to power, the Taliban government has severely restricted press freedom by detaining and threatening journalists, imposing strict censorship, shutting down dozens of media outlets, controlling the flow of information, and completely removing women journalists from the public sphere. The organization stressed that these actions not only violate the professional rights of journalists but also eliminate citizens' access to free information and awareness.
The organization specifically described the removal of women journalists from the workplace as silencing the voice of half the society and depriving them of participation in Afghanistan's public and social life.
AMSO called on the international community, international media support institutions, and human rights organizations to take a firm stance against these restrictions. The organization also urged pressure on the Taliban to end the arbitrary detention of journalists and to create an environment for free media activity in the country.
Finally, AMSO emphasized the need to document cases of violence and violations against Afghan journalists to pave the way for holding the perpetrators of this repression accountable in the future. The organization pledged to continue monitoring the state of media freedom in Afghanistan.
Source: Reporters Without Borders
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