Taliban orders women television presenters to cover their faces

THE Taliban has issued an official order that women journalists in all Afghan media outlets must cover their faces while appearing on television, Kabul-based journalists and producers told dpa on Thursday.

Afghan media giant TO Onews posted the news about the new ruling on its official Twitter account.

The Taliban authorities have informed all television stations that the new order is final “and not up for discussion,” the Afghan media outlet said.

Images of women anchors and presenters circulated on social media on Thursday, with masks covering their faces.

One television producer said the order meant “only the eyes of the female presenters must be visible.” “We have been told that all female employees on visual media must wear masks to hide their faces. Today was the last ultimatum.

“Some media applied the ruling today while others must do so starting tomorrow,” another producer said.

The Taliban has not made a public announcement about the new media regulation.

But the latest rule comes shortly after the Taliban made face veils mandatory for all Afghan women appearing in public.

And in March, the Taliban banned all visual foreign media outlets, including the BBC and German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, as officials were unable to check content, including the reporters’ attire, a Taliban official said.

Since the Taliban returned to power, the hardliners have imposed severe restrictions on media outlets and clamped down on human rights in Afghanistan.

Journalists have been beaten and detained for doing their jobs. Girls and women have been deprived of many of their rights, including to education, work and movement.