Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has stated in its latest report that Afghanistan ranks 175th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, maintaining one of the lowest positions globally. The report indicates that the situation regarding press freedom in the country remains highly restricted.
According to the report, Afghanistan’s overall score increased from 17.88 in 2025 to 19.51 in 2026. However, this slight improvement has not led to a significant change in the country’s position, and Afghanistan remains among the countries with the worst press freedom conditions.
The organization evaluates press freedom based on five political, economic, legal, social, and security indicators. In the political indicator, Afghanistan ranks 158th in 2026, showing a slight improvement from 163rd in the previous year, but it still reflects a high level of media influence.
In the economic indicator, Afghanistan remains unchanged in 165th place, reflecting the financial difficulties faced by the media and serious challenges to the continued operation of independent institutions. In the legal indicator, Afghanistan remains in 178th place in both 2025 and 2026, indicating widespread legal restrictions in this area.
In the social indicator, Afghanistan remains in 175th place, reflecting significant social pressures and limitations, especially for female journalists. In the security indicator, the situation has worsened, with Afghanistan dropping from 175th place last year to 177th in 2026, indicating an increase in threats, arrests, and dangers for journalists.
Reporters Without Borders attributes this situation to the sweeping changes in Afghanistan’s media landscape following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. The organization notes that media outlets operate in an environment where diversity of views is limited and the dissemination of information is under strict oversight and control.
According to the report, in the first three months following this shift, 43% of media outlets closed, and more than two-thirds of the country’s approximately 12,000 journalists left their profession. This reflects a sharp decline in media activities in Afghanistan.
The report also highlights that female journalists have been the most affected, with 8 out of every 10 women no longer working in the profession, and those remaining face extensive restrictions, including limitations on media presence and access to resources.
The report further mentions the increase in legal restrictions, adding that new laws and regulations, including content-related regulations and the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law introduced in 2024, have heightened control over the media.
Economic pressures have also been cited as a factor exacerbating the media crisis. The reduction in international aid and the economic downturn have led many media outlets to stop or reduce their operations, resulting in widespread self-censorship.
In these conditions, issues such as religion, women’s rights, and human rights are facing severe restrictions, and in some cases, journalists have been forced to submit their articles for approval before publication. This situation has had a significant impact on the free flow of information.
Reporters Without Borders has warned that the lack of free media could weaken transparency and accountability, signaling a broader decline in fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan. The organization also reported that currently, four journalists are being held in detention.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
