One of the three finalists for the Young Journalist of the Year 2024 is a woman journalist working in secret in Afghanistan because of the restrictions imposed by the Taliban. She works for The Afghan Times which was founded by Afghan women journalists in exile. In this Q & A she explains how she manages to report under the severe constraints.
What difficulties do you face working as a woman journalist in Afghanistan? As a woman journalist in Afghanistan, I face constant threats to my safety and my ability to work. The Taliban's outright ban on women's voices and presence in journalism means I must operate in secrecy, constantly fearful of being discovered. I can no longer work openly, and I have to rely on trusted networks to communicate, gather information, and publish stories. It's also nearly impossible to access government sources or official channels, as the Taliban refuses to engage with women journalists. My work is further complicated by the stigma attached to female reporters, who are often targeted for violence and harassment, even by civilians influenced by Taliban ideology.
Tell us about the stories you submitted for the Award. The stories I submitted highlight the severe and ongoing challenges faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule.
The first article focuses on the closure of women-only restaurants, which were some of the few safe spaces left for Afghan women workers. It was extremely difficult to obtain interviews with women because many fear retaliation from the Taliban for speaking out. I had to rely on clandestine communication methods and work with sources who were equally committed to bringing the truth to light, but who also faced significant risks.
The Afghan Times
The second piece documents the devastating impact of flooding on Afghan women, already marginalized and vulnerable under Taliban policies. For this I had to navigate dangerous terrain, both physically and politically. The Taliban heavily restricts women's access to areas where they might be able to report on these issues, and their suppression of women's voices in media made it difficult to collect first-hand accounts. Additionally, security risks, including surveillance by the Taliban, made it dangerous to gather information in person.
The Afghan Times
The third report explores the crisis of child labour in Afghanistan, which has been exacerbated by the Taliban's ban on women's right to work, driving more families into poverty and forcing children into exploitative labour. Engaging with them without compromising their safety required careful coordination, often through secret channels.
The Afghan Times
How has life changed for you recently? The situation for women journalists has become even more perilous since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Previously, despite the difficulties, women could still work in media and report on issues affecting Afghan society. Now, the environment is suffocating; women are no longer allowed to participate in public life or hold professional roles, and the media itself has become heavily censored. Access to sources, information, and the ability to move freely have been drastically curtailed. The threat of violence or imprisonment for doing my job has escalated, and many of my colleagues have either fled the country or gone into deep hiding.
Can you describe the normal working day now for a woman journalist working in Afghanistan? A normal working day for a woman journalist like me is fraught with anxiety and isolation. I cannot go to a newsroom or conduct interviews in public. I work from hidden locations, often through encrypted communication tools, relying on a small and trusted circle of sources. My reporting requires extensive planning and discretion; every interaction must be calculated to avoid detection by the Taliban. Fear of surveillance means I have to work quickly and leave no digital footprint that could be traced back to me. What used to be routine-such as interviewing subjects, travelling to report on a story, or fact-checking information-now feels like navigating a minefield. Every day could be my last as a journalist in this country.
With all the challenges you face, why is it important for you to continue to tell the stories of the women in Afghanistan? Despite the dangers, it is essential for me to continue telling the stories of Afghan women because their voices are being systematically silenced. The international community often forgets the everyday struggles faced by Afghan women, who are not only oppressed but also erased from the public sphere. If I stop reporting, the reality of their suffering may never reach the outside world. My work is one of the few ways to bear witness to their lives and resist the Taliban's attempts to render them invisible. The stories of Afghan women are stories of resilience, courage, and survival. By telling their stories, I hope to give them a platform and inspire action that can lead to change.
What impact do your stories have? My stories shine a light on the ongoing atrocities committed against Afghan women, helping to raise awareness both within Afghanistan and internationally. They provide a voice to the voiceless, especially those who cannot speak for fear of reprisal. Through my reporting, I aim to mobilise international support and pressure on the Taliban to reconsider their policies, as well as to spark dialogue around the plight of Afghan women.
What or who inspires you to keep working as a journalist? I am inspired by the incredible strength of Afghan women who, despite facing overwhelming oppression, continue to fight for their dignity and rights. They risk their lives every day to keep their families alive, pursue education in secret, or speak out against injustice. Their resilience fuels my determination to keep working, even when I feel overwhelmed by f
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
09/06/2026
The BBC has found its Hercule Poirot.
After Deadline revealed last month that t...
09/06/2026
Media buyers and sellers can now compare YouTube reach from computer, mobile, an...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
A project aimed at modernizing scheduling operations across Mediaset's channel portfolio
Mediagenix, a global leader in smart content solutions to profitab...
09/06/2026
tvONE, an ACT Entertainment brand, debuts its most powerful video processor ever built: the 4RU CALICO PRO (C7-PRO-4200), at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N6813). Engine...
09/06/2026
Composer and Conductor Eric Whitacre to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Berklee Va...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Technology collaboration to validate AMPP and Lawo HOME orchestration integration, showcasing Dynamic Media Facility principles in practice.
Grass Valley and ...
09/06/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming solutions, today announced that Axel Springer SE, international media and technology company, has deployed Playe...
09/06/2026
LiveU, the global leader in live IP-video solutions, today announced a landmark deployment with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) that has brought Video ...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Two Alumni Win Tony Awards Mike Morris and Cedric Leiba Jr. won awards for Best Orchestrations and Best Play, respectively.
June 8, 2026
By
Tori Donahue
...
09/06/2026
Enni Continues to Rely on Arvato Systems - And Will Be Using AEP.EnerS4 Billing Solution
Arvato Systems to implement transformation project for SAP S/4HANA Ut...
09/06/2026
These special programmes will highlight RT 's connection with the Irish diaspora
This year, RT is marking 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland with...
08/06/2026
The two execs discuss the goals and the challenges of building a huge multi-cult...
08/06/2026
This industry legend has been a road warrior since the early '90s and is, today, a lynchpin on College GameDay
The sports-production industry continues to ...
08/06/2026
DAZN has agreed a multi-year rights partnership with Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), expanding its global combat sports portfolio.
DAZN will broadcast EFC...
08/06/2026
As fans move across broadcast, streaming, social, mobile and creator-led platforms, and they expect every angle, in real time, TVU Networks has released a new e...
08/06/2026
Infront has further strengthened the 2026 Diamond League's international bro...
08/06/2026
Grass Valley has announced the appointment of Sam Craig as Vice President, Global Pre-Sales. Based in the United States, Craig will lead Grass Valley's glob...
08/06/2026
SMPTE has announced its summer 2026 education lineup covering IP networking and SMPTE ST 2110, including two standalone courses, a 13-week boot camp, and a hand...
08/06/2026
Sportradar Group AG has announced a multi-year global agreement with Kalshi, a p...
08/06/2026
FIFA and Gamefam have announced the launch of a FIFA World Cup 2026 event on Roblox, running June 5 through July 31, 2026. The event centers on FIFA Super Socce...
08/06/2026
A collaboration of NHL Productions, Monumental Sports, and Michael Levitt Produc...
08/06/2026
CBS Sports production staffer Bryce Adair has died at the age of 31 after sustaining injuries during a car accident on Wednesday while in Ohio working the the P...
08/06/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...
08/06/2026
WMT Digital today announced the launch of WMT Fan Intelligence, designed to unif...
08/06/2026
The Heat are the seventh NBA team to air their games over-the-air next season...
08/06/2026
Paramount and UFC have announced an expansion of their media rights partnership making Paramount the exclusive home of UFC Numbered Event main cards in Canada ...
08/06/2026
The Qatar Football Association (QFA), in cooperation with Sponix and broadcaster...
08/06/2026
Project B has announced the appointment of Host Broadcast Services (HBS) as Offi...
08/06/2026
The Buckeyes now produce and stream upwards of 200 sports events annually with a...
08/06/2026
At Spotify, our commitment to the LGBTQIA community is year-round. Through GLOW, our global music program, we celebrate and amplify the contributions of queer ...
08/06/2026
Get Hands-on With Keyboard & Synth Brands
GearExpo UK wouldn't be complete without some synth action, and we've got some of the industry's most ...
08/06/2026
50 popular in-ear monitoring system profiles added
The latest update for IK Multimedia's headphone-correction system has just arrived, and introduces ca...
08/06/2026
Manny Marroquin signature cans upgraded with SLAM Technology
The flagship model in Audeze's Manny Marroquin Signature Series has just been treated to an...
08/06/2026
Air domain supremacy redefined - New counter UAS, space solutions and directiona...
08/06/2026
he BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My ...
08/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
One of the three finalists for the Young Journalist of the Year 2024 is a woman journalist working in secret in Afghanistan because of the restrictions imposed by the Taliban. She works for The Afghan Times which was founded by Afghan women journalists in exile. In this Q & A she explains how she manages to report under the severe constraints. 
