Mass media in Afghanistan

The mass media in Afghanistan is monitored by the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC), and includes broadcasting, digital and printing.

[2] After the return of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) in 2021, there was a concern that the mass media will significantly decrease in the country.

[3] The number of digital media outlets is steadily increasing with the help of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and other such online platforms.

It was revived in October 1911 by Mahmud Tarzi, the editor and owner of the newspaper who was critical of the friendship between the British Empire and Afghanistan.

Mahmud Tarzi became known as the pioneer of Afghan journalism, in 1916 he famously wrote: "Siraj Al Akhbar Afghaniya is neither British, nor Russian nor French nor Italian nor German nor Chinese or Japanese.

In 1919, under King Amanullah Khan, Aman-i-Afghan (Afghan Peace) replaced Siraj al-Akhbar, serving as an organ of the government, while several smaller private journals appeared under different ministries.

The conceptual foundation of Television in Afghanistan to improve literacy rate and specific technical recommendation for initial launch was first published in 1967 by Dr. Hafiz Sahar, Chief Editor of national morning newspaper, in his academic work in New York University.

The press was editorially independent from government but was instructed to safeguard the interests of the state and constitutional monarchy, Islam, and public order.

When King Zahir Shah's government was overthrown in the 1973 coup by his cousin Daoud Khan, approximately 19 newspapers were shut down and media came under severe restriction, ending a period of relative freedom.

[12][13] All television stations had been shut down by order of the Taliban,[9] and printed newspapers were forbidden to publish commentary, photos, or readers letters.

[9] The Kabul TV center was converted into a military barracks, and journalists were not permitted to work with foreign media.

The Afghan media experienced a rapid growth during the Karzai administration in the early 2000s, with dozens of TV stations reestablished around the country.

[2] All media flourished under Afghanistan's new rules, though journalists do undergo self-censorship; penalties are still in place for defaming individuals and running material contrary to the principles of Islam.

[12] However, due to instability in Afghanistan, journalists have been as highly targeted as soldiers, as shown by instances of kidnapping and death threats.

[15] An NGO named Nai (meaning flute, an important symbolic instrument for broadcasting) tracks violence against journalists with its Media Watch Data.

[20] One of the most high-profile government attacks on press freedom occurred in 2008 when presenter Mohammad Nasir Fayyaz of Ariana Television Network was arrested for criticizing members of the cabinet.

BBC World Service, Voice of America, Radio Azadi and others have also been active in Afghanistan as additional sources of news.

ABS "Afghanistan Broadcast System" a part of ACG "Asian Consulting Group" start its DTTV service under the trade name of Oqaab.

In March 2022, the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice announced an order that all foreign serials and dramas are to be banned from airing.

Mahmud Tarzi became the pioneer of Afghan journalism
Central control panel at Radio Kabul transmitter in the 1950s. Transmitter can be heard as far distant as South Africa and Indonesia .
Shamshad TV studio (2010)
TOLOnews studio (2017)