Taliban Revokes Licences of Media Support Organizations in Afghanistan

January 27, 2026 – Afghanistan –

Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Ministry of Information and Culture has revoked the operating licences of the majority of organizations that provide support to journalists and media professionals, sharply restricting the country’s already constrained press environment. The decision, announced on January 26, 2026, affects most media support bodies, leaving only a handful authorised to continue functioning under the new regulatory order.

According to statements from the ministry, the reviews that led to licence cancellations were prompted by complaints from journalists and media outlets about the performance of these support organisations. The ministry alleges that many of the groups failed to effectively address the challenges faced by journalists and, in some cases, harmed the credibility of Afghanistan’s media sector. It did not, however, disclose details about specific organisations sanctioned, nor the criteria used in the review process. Only three organisations were granted licence extensions and allowed to continue operations.

The purge targets bodies that had been instrumental in offering training, legal assistance, safety resources, and professional support to media practitioners working under increasingly restrictive conditions since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Independent coverage of political, social, and security issues in Afghanistan has diminished over the past four years, with many outlets either shutting down or relocating abroad due to financial, legal, and operational pressures.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) condemned the revocations as a blatant attack on press freedom and a violation of the country’s Mass Media Law and fundamental media rights standards. The AFJC said the move appears designed to suppress independent institutions and consolidate control over the media by enforcing a narrower, more conformist information environment. It warned that the action aligns with a broader strategy of limiting freedom of expression and could have severe consequences for journalism and civil society in Afghanistan.

Journalists and rights groups have raised an alarm that the shrinking space for professional associations and support organisations will further limit journalists’ ability to operate safely, access legal protections, and maintain professional development. The cancellations come amid a broader climate of regulatory pressures, content restrictions, and legal constraints that continue to erode independent reporting and media pluralism throughout the country.

Reference –

Taliban Revoke Licenses of Several Media Support Organizations in Afghanistan  

Licenses of several media organizations revoked in Afghanistan

https://www.journalismpakistan.com/taliban-revoke-licences-of-most-media-support-groups

https://amu.tv/223320/

Afghanistan Journalists Center Condemns Taliban’s Revocation of Licenses for 10 Media Organizations