Media Freedom and Censorship: A Comparative Study of Media Freedom under First and Second (2.0) Taliban Regime

This study compares media freedom and censorship under the rule of the current Taliban 2.0 regime in Afghanistan with that of the previous Taliban rule (1996–2001). It examines how changes in media laws and regulations by both regimes have impacted journalists and media organizations. The research questions focus on variations in media freedom, specific forms of censorship, and the influence of technological advancements on media freedom. A comparative case study methodology is employed to analyze the legal framework, media regulation, and public access to media coverage in both periods of the Taliban. Data collection involves gathering information from academic research, human rights reports, media observers, and news articles. The study's significance lies in providing policymakers, human rights organizations, and media professionals with insights into how Taliban control has affected media freedom, aiding efforts to support press freedom and advocate for journalists' rights in Afghanistan.