Name: Khojasta
Region: Kabul Province
My name is Khojasta, from Kabul. I am one of the outspoken critics of the Taliban, a group that, upon seizing power in Afghanistan, stripped the people of even their most basic rights. I am among those who lost years of personal and professional achievements under this regime.
By issuing decrees banning political programming, the Taliban aim to suppress even the faintest voices of dissent. Yet the media plays a vital role in shaping a country’s political, economic, and social landscape. By silencing critics, the Taliban are attempting to mute the voice of the majority.
Their fear of the people—especially of their critics—is profound. They believe that suppressing dissent will strengthen their grip on power. Today, no media outlet in Afghanistan operates freely. All content is censored. YouTube channels and content creators have effectively become mouthpieces for the Taliban, as any deviation from the Taliban’s imposed framework results in their work being shut down.
I frequently appeared on political programs on domestic media. However, because I spoke openly against the Taliban, some of the programs I participated in were never aired. On one occasion, I appeared on a show alongside a Taliban military figure. After criticizing the group, I received a summons to my home.
We have also witnessed the imprisonment of prominent figures such as Professor Jalal, Professor Mashal, and Professor Kazemi. In many media outlets, program hosts would apologize in advance, saying they were required to censor our remarks. I often refused to be censored, and although I have not yet been imprisoned, I have been insulted, humiliated, and followed by Taliban affiliates—and I remain under surveillance to this day.
Every day, I live with the fear of being arrested. The people of Afghanistan have reached the limits of their patience, but they remain silent for the sake of their own safety and that of their families. Imagine a society where people have lived through decades of war and lost loved ones—how can they be expected to rise up against such a brutal regime?
Whenever I was invited to a political program, I could see the fear on the faces of the journalists. I myself was afraid of being detained, as the Taliban have threatened media outlets with severe consequences if they allow any criticism.
Despite our efforts to continue speaking out, the Taliban have intensified their crackdown on dissent. That is why I have stepped back for now. I realized that my voice was being censored, the truth was being ignored, and continuing to speak out would only put me and others at greater risk.
But this silence is not the end. I will raise my voice again soon even if it means being silenced once more.
