Afghan Taliban vow to implement media ban on images of living things
Raw StoryOCT 2024
Afghanistan: Taliban Ban Photos of Living Things
Above: A member of Taliban security force keeps a vigil at the office of the Afghan Independent Journalists Association in Kabul on May 3, 2023. Image copyright: WAKIL KOHSAR/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The ban on photographs of living things severely restricts press freedom and artistic expression and further limits the already dwindling media landscape in Afghanistan. This move is part of a broader pattern of oppressive measures that violate human rights, disproportionately affect women, and hinder progress in the country.
Establishment-critical narrative
The photography ban aligns media practices with Islamic law and preserves cultural values. Gradual implementation allows for a smooth transition and ensures compliance without coercion. Unsurprisingly, the West is manipulating this decree to vilify the Taliban in a move that risks creating conflict.