The Taliban - Afganistan Case

The Taliban are one of the groups that formed during the war against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. After the Soviets left Afghanistan the Soviet-backed government lost ground to the Taliban. In 1992, Kabul was captured by the Taliban and a new government was set up.

The Taliban set up strict laws over media and even went as far as banning TV in 1996, Music was later banned in 1998. Also anyone who get caught with a television or listening to music was subjected to imprison and punishment.

With the help of US military intervention in 2001 Afghanistan was able to start rebuilding its country.

The Constitution of Afghanistan became the official law of Afghanistan on January 4, 2004 under President Hamid Karzai

Article 34 states, "Freedom of expression shall be inviolable. Every Afghan shall have the right to express thoughts through speech, writing, illustrations as well as other means in accordance with provisions of this constitution."

However there are clauses in the constitution such as;

whether in print or broadcast -- will be "regulated by law."

no one has the right to write or say anything that is considered against "national interests." But there is no clear definition of what national interests are

Media in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime was characterized by strict media laws, including the banning of television in 1996, seen as "morally corrupt" and music, banned under their law. In 1998 the Taliban have destroyed the television sets and studios. Also anyone who get caught with a television or listening to music was subjected to imprison and punishment.

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The Constitution of Afghanistan became the official law of Afghanistan on January 4, 2004

The constitution provides for an elected President and National Assembly who must both be Muslim due to the fact Islam is the state religion.

Article 34 states, "Freedom of expression shall be inviolable. Every Afghan shall have the right to express thoughts through speech, writing, illustrations as well as other means in accordance with provisions of this constitution."

After the collapse of the Taliban regime and the writing of the condtitution in Afghanistan, as President Hamid Karzai came to power, one of the promising things he did was to declare freedom of the media. Gave Afghans' comfort it was okay to express oneself.

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Media