Taliban announces nationwide ban on photography of living creatures
The Taliban government has announced that it will begin enforcing a law prohibiting the photography and filming of living creatures across Afghanistan. The ban will be gradually implemented throughout the country's media outlets, according to an official statement from the Taliban's Ministry of Public Affairs and Prohibition of Evil.
Saif Khyber, a spokesperson for the ministry, confirmed the news in an interview with AFP on Monday, stating that the law aligns with the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic teachings, which they believe forbid the depiction of living beings, including humans and animals, in images and videos.
"The law will be enforced step by step, allowing Afghan media to adjust to the new regulations," Khyber said.
On Sunday, local journalists in Ghazni province were summoned by Taliban officials, where they were informed about the upcoming changes. During the meeting, reporters were advised to reduce their coverage of events involving live beings and to start filming from greater distances. One journalist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the Taliban had instructed them to prepare for the full implementation of the ban in the near future.
This new restriction is part of the Taliban’s broader efforts to control media and cultural expression in Afghanistan, following their return to power in August 2021. Since their takeover, the regime has introduced a series of laws aimed at curbing free expression and enforcing their interpretation of Islamic law, including stringent dress codes for women, restrictions on female education, and now, limits on media content.
The ban on photographing living creatures raises further concerns about press freedom in Afghanistan, a country where journalists already face significant risks. Media outlets, both domestic and international, have been operating under increasing scrutiny, with many reporters facing harassment, arrests, and even violence for their work.
Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates have condemned the Taliban's ongoing clampdown on the media, warning that these actions will lead to further isolation of Afghanistan from the international community.
As the law is phased in, it remains unclear how strictly it will be enforced or what penalties may be imposed on those who violate the new rules. However, the announcement marks another step in the Taliban’s campaign to reshape Afghan society according to their hardline interpretation of Islamic principles.
