The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban) have released a communiqué on media activities in Afghanistan. In the statement, the Taliban accuses the Karzai government, referred to as "the Puppet Administration," of impinging upon freedom of the press in Afghanistan. Specifically, the Taliban asserts that the Karzai government "has warned media outlets not to publish or transmit live reports of events without obtaining prior permission.
In case of violation, they have threatened to arrest reporters, seize their equipment and ban the activities of the concerned media outlet in a given area."
According to the communiqué:
1. The ban on independent mass media outlets by the Puppet Administration is, in fact, an effort by the surrogates to obscure their failure and shameful fiascos, which they face during confrontations with the Mujahideen in every part of the country.
2. The monopolization of activities of independent mass media outlets by the Kabul Puppet Administration is a clear-cut violation of norms and regulation of neutrality, independence and freedom of speech and has no justification in the light of national and international laws.
