<p>Almost 60 per cent of Afghanistan's journalists have lost their jobs or fled the country since the Taliban takeover a year ago, according to a survey published Friday by Reporters Without Borders.</p>.<p>The France-based NGO said 219 of the country's 547 media organisations had ceased operations since the Taliban took power on August 15, 2021.</p>.<p>Women journalists have been most impacted, with 76 per cent losing their jobs.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/taliban-say-bombing-kills-prominent-afghan-cleric-in-kabul-1135230.html">Taliban say bombing kills prominent Afghan cleric in Kabul</a></strong></p>.<p>"Journalism has been decimated during the past year in Afghanistan," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said in a statement.</p>.<p>"The authorities must undertake to end the violence and harassment inflicted on media workers, and must allow them to do their job unmolested."</p>.<p>The survey found that only 656 women journalists were still working, the vast majority in Kabul, down from 2,756 a year ago.</p>.<p>Accusations of immorality were frequently used to remove them from their posts.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/taliban-fighters-swap-arms-for-books-in-afghanistan-as-hundreds-return-to-school-1135053.html">Taliban fighters swap arms for books in Afghanistan as hundreds return to school</a></strong></p>.<p>"The living and working conditions of women journalists in Afghanistan have always been difficult, but today we are experiencing an unprecedented situation," Kabul-based journalist Meena Habib told RSF.</p>.<p>"They work in conditions that are physically and mentally violent and tiring, without any protection."</p>.<p>Some media outlets have been forced to shut by rules against broadcasting music and other content, while others have been unable to continue without international funding.</p>.<p>A decree issued by Taliban supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada last month warned against "defaming and criticising government officials without proof".</p>.<p>It was the latest in a series of measures aimed at curbing press freedoms.</p>.<p>At least 80 journalists have been detained for varying periods by security forces in the past year, with three currently imprisoned, RSF said.</p>.<p>The NGO ranked Afghanistan at 156 out of 179 countries in its press freedom index for 2022.</p>
<p>Almost 60 per cent of Afghanistan's journalists have lost their jobs or fled the country since the Taliban takeover a year ago, according to a survey published Friday by Reporters Without Borders.</p>.<p>The France-based NGO said 219 of the country's 547 media organisations had ceased operations since the Taliban took power on August 15, 2021.</p>.<p>Women journalists have been most impacted, with 76 per cent losing their jobs.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/taliban-say-bombing-kills-prominent-afghan-cleric-in-kabul-1135230.html">Taliban say bombing kills prominent Afghan cleric in Kabul</a></strong></p>.<p>"Journalism has been decimated during the past year in Afghanistan," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said in a statement.</p>.<p>"The authorities must undertake to end the violence and harassment inflicted on media workers, and must allow them to do their job unmolested."</p>.<p>The survey found that only 656 women journalists were still working, the vast majority in Kabul, down from 2,756 a year ago.</p>.<p>Accusations of immorality were frequently used to remove them from their posts.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/taliban-fighters-swap-arms-for-books-in-afghanistan-as-hundreds-return-to-school-1135053.html">Taliban fighters swap arms for books in Afghanistan as hundreds return to school</a></strong></p>.<p>"The living and working conditions of women journalists in Afghanistan have always been difficult, but today we are experiencing an unprecedented situation," Kabul-based journalist Meena Habib told RSF.</p>.<p>"They work in conditions that are physically and mentally violent and tiring, without any protection."</p>.<p>Some media outlets have been forced to shut by rules against broadcasting music and other content, while others have been unable to continue without international funding.</p>.<p>A decree issued by Taliban supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada last month warned against "defaming and criticising government officials without proof".</p>.<p>It was the latest in a series of measures aimed at curbing press freedoms.</p>.<p>At least 80 journalists have been detained for varying periods by security forces in the past year, with three currently imprisoned, RSF said.</p>.<p>The NGO ranked Afghanistan at 156 out of 179 countries in its press freedom index for 2022.</p>