Islamabad, March 28, (dpa/GNA) – German international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW), has confirmed it is banned in Afghanistan, joining the list of foreign media outlets blacked out by the ruling Taliban, such as the BBC and Voice of America.
In a Monday statement confirming the restrictions blocking Afghan partners from using its content, DW director-general, Peter Limbourg, expressed concerns about the free press in the crisis-hit country.
“The increasing restrictions on freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Afghanistan are very worrying,” said Limbourg.
“The fact that the Taliban are now criminalizing the distribution of DW programs by our media partners is hindering positive developments in Afghanistan. Free media is essential for this and we will do everything we can to continue to provide the people of Afghanistan with independent information via the internet and social media.”
Taliban regime deputy spokesperson, Inamullah Samangani, justified the move, telling dpa that, because visual foreign media broadcast from abroad, Taliban media reviewers have no access to check their content, such as the reporter’s attire.
In addition, Samangani said that the foreign media occasionally broadcast content that contradicted their religious values, Afghan culture, and national interest. Therefore, it was decided to ban the programmes of foreign TV stations.
GNA