Sediq Seddiqi, the former spokesman for the president of Afghanistan’s republican government, says that media outlets established after 2001 with substantial financial assistance from the international community and support from the Afghan government, with the aim of protecting democratic and human rights values, have now been turned into “major propaganda tools” for the Taliban.
Seddiqi said that instead of reflecting the voices of the Afghan people and the country’s actual situation, these media outlets have begun broadcasting propaganda programs marking the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s rule.
According to him, while promoting the Taliban’s rule, insufficient attention is being paid to the situation of the Afghan people, particularly restrictions imposed on women and violations of human rights.
The remarks come as Saad Mohseni, chairman of the MOBY Group, has also recently described the situation in Afghanistan as largely normal and made claims about security and women’s participation in public life that have drawn criticism. Afghan activists and journalists have criticized Mohseni’s comments, describing them as an attempt to “whitewash” the Taliban’s record.
The MOBY Group’s media network has been active in Afghanistan since the 2000s and includes outlets such as TOLO Television and TOLOnews.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
