UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of detained journalists in Afghanistan, calling on the Taliban to allow journalists to work freely without fear of arrest, threats, or harassment. The statement was issued on World Press Freedom Day, with Bennett noting that at least 4 journalists and media workers remain detained in the country.

Bennett's Call to Action

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bennett stated: "At least 4 journalists and media workers continue to be detained in Afghanistan. I call for their release and the release of all other people arbitrarily detained in Afghanistan. No time is better than today for this, as 3 June is World Press Freedom Day."

He stressed that press freedom has worsened significantly since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, with independent reporting increasingly restricted under a hostile environment, according to Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press. Ordinary reporting, he said, can now lead to reprisals — particularly on issues related to women's rights and governance.

Female Journalists Face Compounded Barriers

Bennett specifically highlighted the situation of female journalists in Afghanistan, who face mobility restrictions, dress codes, and shrinking professional opportunities. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 8 out of 10 women journalists in Afghanistan are no longer working. Many have left the profession entirely due to the compounded pressures they face under Taliban rule.

He further noted that people who speak to the media face intimidation, surveillance, and detention — developments that are severely affecting the flow of reliable information out of the country.

Afghanistan Ranked 175th in World Press Freedom Index 2026

Afghanistan has been ranked 175th out of 180 nations in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, according to data from Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Afghanistan's overall score improved marginally from 17.88 in 2025 to 19.51 in 2026, indicating a slight improvement in press freedom. Despite this, the country remains among the worst-performing nations globally, according to Afghanistan-based Amu TV.

RSF evaluates press freedom across five indicators — political, economic, legislative, social, and security. The political indicator ranked Afghanistan 158th in 2026, an improvement from 163rd in 2025. The economic indicator remained unchanged at 165th in both years. The legislative indicator held steady at 178th, while the social indicator stayed at 175th. Notably, the security indicator — which evaluates risks such as violence, detention, and threats — worsened, with Afghanistan ranked 177th in 2026 compared to 175th in 2025.

The Collapse of Afghan Media Since 2021

RSF noted that the media environment was fundamentally reshaped after the Taliban seized power on 15 August 2021. The agency stated: "The takeover sounded the death knell for press freedom," adding that media organisations are now compelled to broadcast government-controlled information in an environment "devoid of pluralism and dissenting voices."

According to RSF, 43 per cent of media houses closed within just three months of the Taliban's return to power. Over two-thirds of Afghanistan's roughly 12,000 journalists have since left the field. Journalists reportedly receive editorial orders from multiple state bodies, including ministries, the intelligence service, and institutions monitoring public conduct.

What Comes Next

With Afghanistan's security indicator for press freedom worsening even as its overall score marginally improved, the structural environment for journalism remains deeply hostile. International pressure — including from UN mandate holders like Bennett — is unlikely to yield immediate results given the Taliban's track record, but advocates say consistent global attention remains one of the few levers available to protect the journalists still working inside the country.