Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, almost 6,400 journalists have lost their jobs, says survey

The Afghan media scene has changed dramatically since the Taliban gained control, according to a poll undertaken by non-profit organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA).

According to a recent poll, more than 6,400 journalists in Afghanistan have lost their employment since the Taliban took control of the nation.

According to the RSF and its local partner, the AIJA, the Taliban takeover has had a significant influence on Afghanistan's media.

Women journalists have been impacted the hardest, with 80% of them losing their employment since the Taliban seized control of Kabul. More than four out of ten media outlets have closed, and 60 percent of journalists and media workers are out of employment.

As said by a RSF in a statement, "Of the 543 media outlets tallied in Afghanistan at the start of the summer, only 312 were still operating at the end of November. This means that 43% of Afghan media outlets disappeared in the space of three months."

He further added, "There used to be 10 media outlets in the mountainous northern province of Parwan but now just three are functioning. In the western city of Herat (the country's third-largest) and the surrounding province, only 18 of the 51 media outlets are still operating - a 65 percent fall," the RSF said.

"The central Kabul region, which had more media that anywhere else, has not been spared the carnage. It has lost more than one of every two media outlets (51%). Of the 148 tallied prior to 15 August, only 72 are still operating," it added.

Most Afghan provinces had at least 10 privately held media outlets just four months ago, but now certain districts have virtually no local media.

In the group's first press conference following the takeover in August, the Taliban pledged women's rights, media freedom, and amnesty for government officials. However, retaliation continues to be meted out to activists, former government personnel, and journalists, among others.

The Taliban is reportedly cracking down on journalists in Afghanistan, according to reports. Taliban members have harassed reporters covering demonstrations and rallies.