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Crippling economy closing Afghan media outlets
Media support organizations and media activists warned on Monday that financial problems and restrictions are having an enormous impact on the Afghan media.
This comes after reports emerged that at least half of all Afghan media organizations have shut down, mainly due to financial problems.
In addition, a large percentage of journalists and media workers have not been paid for at least two months.
Nai Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan said the lack of financial resources has affected hundreds of journalists.
“Following the IEA takeover in Afghanistan, some media closed down while others have complained about (restrictions on) access to information,” said Nasir Noori, a member of Nai.
“When we try to continue our journalistic affairs, we have few information sources. We call on the IEA to provide sources for the media,” he said.
Some media outlets have continued to operate despite facing serious financial constraints.
“All journalists in Faryab province are jobless. Journalists’ activities are being restricted,” said Nabil Niyaish, a journalist.
“The media has financial problems in Zabul. Some media organizations have remained open but might close down because there are no advertisements,” said another journalist.
Media and freedom of speech has been a major achievement in Afghanistan in the past 20 years, but the future for this sector is uncertain.
IEA officials meanwhile said they will help resolve problems regarding the financial situation in the long term.
“We will try our best to create a market for the media. It will be beneficial for the media,” said Inhamullah Samangani, a member of the IEA’s cultural committee.
Recently, Afghanistan’s journalist union said that 70% of media outlets have closed down in Afghanistan in recent weeks and more face closure unless the international community provide help.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced that it will continue providing its essential health services to the people of Afghanistan.
In a post on X, the organization, referring to Afghanistan’s health needs, said that over the past year it has been active in various health sectors across the country, ranging from maternal and child care to emergency response, as well as the treatment of patients suffering from tuberculosis and severe injuries.
According to MSF, its teams over the past year have been present at a range of health facilities, including neonatal intensive care units, operating theatres, surgical centers, and specialized tuberculosis treatment wards, where they have delivered life-saving services to patients.
The organization stressed that it will continue ensuring the provision of health services, particularly for needy families and vulnerable communities in remote areas of Afghanistan.
The Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan, currently run by diplomats of the previous government, has announced that it will suspend its operations in Tokyo after the end of January 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the embassy said the decision was made after consultations with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with Japanese authorities, and in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The embassy added that after January 31, all of its political, economic, cultural, and consular activities will be halted until further notice.
Currently, Shaida Abdali is serving as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Japan.
Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul, held a courtesy meeting with Zakir Jalali, the Second Political Deputy of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the start of his mission.
The Turkish Embassy in Kabul said in a post that the meeting included mutual exchanges of views on bilateral relations.
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