Internews Europe CEO Meera Selva writes about how Internews is empowering courageous journalists—both inside Afghanistan and in exile—to keep telling the stories that matter.
Since Kabul fell in August 2021, the lights have gone out on Afghan media – Internews is fighting to keep them on. Afghanistan’s once-vibrant press has been decimated. The Taliban’s repressive regime – especially its war on women’s voices – has shut down hundreds of media outlets and triggered an exodus of talent. Yet, against the odds, Internews remains a lifeline for independent voices in one of the world’s darkest media environments.
A Fragile but Vital Mission
Under the Afghanistan Information and Media Support (AIMS) initiative—now in its fourth phase – Internews is resolute: journalism must endure. We fund, train and shield independent media still working under Taliban rule or broadcasting from exile. Despite donor fatigue and escalating danger, we are committed to supporting those who dare to report the stories that must be told.
Reality on the Ground: Defiance in the Dark
The challenges are monumental. Taliban edicts now ban content “contrary to Islam,” censor women’s voices, and restrict female journalists from public life. The August 2024 enforcement of the “Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” has made it virtually illegal for women to speak or appear in public media. And yet, against this backdrop, Afghan journalists persist – risking everything to keep their communities informed and women’s voices from disappearing entirely.
Internews equips these outlets with what they need to survive and ensure that women’s voices are heard: safe transport, male companions (mahrams), and secure workspaces.
Voices in Exile: Journalism Beyond Borders
With media freedoms crushed at home, many Afghan journalists now report from abroad. Internews backs a network of exiled media outlets, including 8AM Media, Etilaat Roz, Rukhshana Media, and Zan Times, which expose human rights abuses, promote democratic values, and, crucially, preserve women’s voices in public discourse.
When 8AM Media investigated and revealed forced displacements in Ghor Province, the Taliban governor was dismissed, and the International Criminal Court took notice. This kind of accountability reporting would be impossible inside Afghanistan.
Rukhshana Media and Zan Times, both women-led and operating in exile, publish in-depth stories focused on women’s rights, keeping alive the narratives that the Taliban regime wants to erase.
Safe Sisters: Protecting Women in Digital Spaces
Internews’ Safe Sisters programme trains Afghan women journalists and human rights defenders in digital security, turning survivors into protectors. These women become digital safety champions, spreading knowledge through communities in local languages. As online harassment and surveillance intensify, these skills have become essential for survival.
Navigating a Landscape of Risk
Internews balances reach with risk. We work closely with partners to mitigate risks such as arbitrary arrests, cyberattacks, and government shutdowns and stand ready to pivot to exile support if the crackdown intensifies. Our Global Technology Hub supports partners facing surveillance, censorship and cyber-attacks, while dedicated mentoring helps partners strengthen financial and operational resilience.
Why it Matters
In Afghanistan today, information isn’t just power. It’s survival.
Internews ensures that even as the Taliban tries to silence a nation, independent voices still find a way through. We don’t just support media – we preserve hope, accountability, and the enduring vision that Afghan women will not be erased.