Extremists Show True Color: Dark

Michael Hedges May 23, 2022 Follow on Twitter

Several well-known international agencies monitor the status of media workers. From Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and others these groups mind the realm, some quite activist. Considering relentless efforts by despots and dictators to control or even stamp out the free flow of information they provide valuable resources to the public and lawmakers. There are, however, limits to their effectiveness.

Afghan media had several years to assemble, train and produce. Value was added, though imperfect, to civil discourse in a tribal country best known for corruption and opium. Media development agencies congratulated themselves. Big international news agencies reported all this and were, indeed, part of the story. When the Taliban extremists swarmed across Afghanistan last year, firmly intending to curtail this openness media watchers took note.

The Taliban extremists, now firmly in place, have not modified their views on media or human rights. They know what they want and it’s blunt. Earlier this month documentary producer for Vice News Isobel Yeung and her crew were booted out of Afghanistan. “They cited issues with our report on women’s rights and alleged security concerns,” she wrote on social media (May 13). She and the team were ordered out “immediately.” Prior to her Afghanistan deployment Ms Yeung had reported from Ukraine.

When the Taliban extremists arrived some observers, the very naive, reported a shift in behavior. Certainly, they demanded strict adherence to their medieval rules, curtailing news reporting and such, but most of the random acts of violence, including beheadings, stopped. Most everyone seeking exit - or a hideout - were allowed. They even, briefly, opened schools to girls. Women were invited back to work, special dress code recommended. TV channels still on the air stopped showing movies and serials featuring women.

That all came to a noticeable halt. The Taliban extremists reverted to their norm. Supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada proclaimed that in public all women be completely covered by the full hijab, including faces. Television broadcasters were informed this rule applied to them, too. During the brief respite, female Afghan TV anchors and reporters had generally opted for a simple headscarf. The dress code would take effect from Saturday (May 21) said the notorious “moral” police Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

There was brief resistance, even protests. On Sunday, several male employees of TOLO News wore face masks in solidarity in the Kabul office complex. A few women continued to work with faces visible. It didn’t last long. “TOLO News was pressured and told that any female presenter who appeared on screen without covering her face must be given some other job or simply removed,” said news anchor Sonia Niazi to AFP (May 22). “TOLO News was compelled and we were forced to wear it.” TOLO News is principally owned by Moby Group, which relocated company offices to Dubai.

“Their latest order has broken the hearts of women presenters and many now think they have no future in this country," said one under condition of anonymity, quoted by Australian public broadcaster ABC (May 21). "I'm thinking of leaving the country. Decrees like this will force many professionals to leave."

During nearly two decades of Taliban extremist absence, media support agencies gave specific attention to Afghan women. Before last August, more than 700 women were working in media. Now, reported RSF, there are fewer than 100. Many initially fled to Pakistan in transit to third countries.

And, so, the Taliban extremists were delighted with the response. "We are happy with the media channels that they implemented this responsibility in a good manner,” said Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Akif Sadeq Mohajir. "We have no intention of removing them from the public scene or sidelining them or stripping them of their right to work.” Outside observers are not convinced.

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