Kabul: Five journalists from Etilaatroz, a daily newspaper in Kabul, have been arrested by the Taliban. The information of the arrest has been shared by Zaki Daryabi, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper.
Since the Islamic militant group took over the war-torn country in mid-August after the fall of the government, led by Ashraf Ghani, fears of repression have risen among the media houses and personals.
The Taliban spokesperson said that the Taliban leadership has asked Afghan media to operate as usual but has said media will be allowed to criticize anyone but should not indulge in character assassination.
One official of the Taliban sat down for an interview with a woman host on Tolo News where he was keen to convince people that the Taliban would be softer this time. But many Afghans, including the media, are not convinced.
During their 1996-2001 regime, the Taliban has killed and threatened journalists throughout its insurgency. During this period, TV and most entertainments were banned, and there were no media to speak of.
The Taliban victory has plunged Afghanistan's independent media into crisis, more than 100 privately owned outlets have suspended operations, according to watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
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