Taliban Bans Media Images of Living Beings

The Taliban's morality ministry in Afghanistan announced a new law banning news media from publishing images of all living things, citing the need to adhere to strict interpretations of Islamic law. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice stated that the law would be gradually enforced across the country, emphasizing persuasion over coercion. Despite the ban, Taliban officials continue to post images on social media. Journalists in provinces like Ghazni and Maidan Wardak have been advised to alter their practices, such as taking photos from a distance. This move is part of a broader trend of increasing restrictions on media and personal freedoms since the Taliban regained power in 2021. The media industry in Afghanistan has suffered significantly, with a notable decrease in media employees and increased censorship measures in business and public life.