On 15 August, I joined an informal discussion on Afghanistan’s current political and human rights situation to mark the country’s first year under the Taliban, which unlawfully took power, overthrowing then President Ashraf Ghani’s government. The discussion was held on Twitter Space, a platform feature introduced in late 2020 to let users have live audio conversation.
Whilst open to the public, the forum was primarily joined by Afghan activists and former journalists – both in the country and in exile – who shared their stories of loss and suffering, everyday Taliban corruption and brutality, and the chaos in Kabul and other cities. They complained that international media coverage was either insufficiently researched or misrepresentative; and while there are countless stories to tell, there was hardly anyone left to tell their stories to the world, accurately and without fear – a concern also raised at CMT’s symposium on ‘Who should tell stories about conflict?'
It is near impossible for many remaining local Afghan journalists to continue reporting due to draconian surveillance and censorship by the Taliban. According to Reporters Without Border, Afghanistan has lost over 60% of its journalists over the last year under the Taliban. This year, the country also fell 34 places on the Global Press Freedom Index 2022, currently sitting at 156 on the list of 180 countries studied for the report. Another new study by the Committee to Protect Journalists presents a predictably grim picture of the state of media in the country, containing first-hand accounts of Afghan journalists on the job or on the run.
For many, social media has become a safe haven, fostering a connection between the personal and political. In these online 'public spheres,' Afghans – young and old – are building their own ‘networked societies’ that are self-representative, deliberative, and engaging, and have a huge potential to mobilise people for action. Despite being an emotional roller coaster ride, these Twitter space discussions show that amidst the intimidation and harassment, forced resignations, assault, kidnappings and killings, Afghan journalists and activists have not yet lost hope, and are trying to continue reporting, with extreme caution of course.
This article was featured in our Newsletter of 19 August – you can read it in full here.
Ayesha Jehangir, CMT Postdoctoral Fellow