Journalists In Afghanistan Say Taliban Threatens Press Freedom

Press freedom in Afghanistan is under serious threat from the Taliban as reporters have been beaten by the militant Islamists despite their pledge to protect media freedom, Afghan journalists told Kyodo News.

Photo Insert: Armed civilian forces in Afghanistan

Around 20 local journalists and activists gathered in Kabul on Friday and called for the international community to secure their safety under the rule of the Taliban which regained control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15.

"Journalists before the takeover were at peace," a Kabul-based journalist who joined the gathering said. "But many of our brothers and sisters in the profession have been threatened and many fear that they may face serious threats from the Islamic Emirate."

Reporters have been beaten by Taliban soldiers for no reason, the 29-year-old journalist said, adding "we want assurance of our security from the current Islamic Emirate."

Since the Taliban took control of the country, many reporters have left Afghanistan amid fear of crackdowns on journalists as the Taliban had severely restricted press freedom the last time they were in power from 1996 to 2001.

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