Taliban ban photographs of 'all living things' in Afghanistan, claiming it is forbidden under Islamic law
Daily MailOct 22
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 Facts
Afghanistan's Taliban morality ministry has announced a law banning news media from publishing images of all living things. The law's gradual implementation is planned across the country.
Saiful Islam Khyber, a spokesman for the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, said that the law will apply to all of Afghan society, though It's unclear whether foreign outlets must also abide by the rules.
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.