Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Reporting in Silence: Young Journalist of the Year on working in secret under Taliban rule

13/12/2024

Reporting in secret under the oppressive shadow of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Thomson's Young Journalist of the Year for 2024 is a woman whose fearless journalism for The Afghan Times-an outlet founded by Afghan women journalists and now run in exile-has brought to light critical stories, from the closure of women-only restaurants to the struggles of women impacted by natural disasters.

In this exclusive interview, she shares her journey as a journalist in one of the world's most dangerous environments, the challenges of working under constant threat and the unwavering mission that drives her.

When and why did you decide to become a journalist? I decided to become a journalist because I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless, especially Afghan women who have been marginalised for decades. Growing up, I saw the struggles of women in my country and felt a responsibility to share their stories with the world. Journalism felt like a powerful way to bring attention to the injustices they face and to advocate for change.

When I started working with The Afghan Times in 2022, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. It became an important part of my life, shaping how I approach my work and allowing me to tell stories that truly matter. Every day, I feel proud of the work I do with The Afghan Times. The stories I've worked on have reached audiences in a meaningful way, and I am encouraged by the impact they have had. Through The Afghan Times, I feel like I can contribute in a good style and format that resonates with readers.

What are the particular problems you face working as a woman journalist in Afghanistan, and can you describe what a working day for you is like? The main challenges include severe restrictions on my movement and constant fear of being targeted by the Taliban. As a woman, I am not allowed to work publicly or openly. A typical working day involves operating in secrecy, using encrypted tools to communicate with sources, and planning every step carefully to avoid detection.

I also face significant difficulties in accessing information, as government sources and official channels are largely unavailable to women journalists. The Taliban's policies mean I cannot freely meet with sources or conduct interviews in public. Many sources, especially women, fear retaliation for speaking out, making it even harder to gather firsthand accounts.

The stigma attached to women journalists is another obstacle. In addition to the Talibans restrictions, societal attitudes influenced by their ideology often result in harassment or hostility from civilians. Technical challenges, such as limited internet access or surveillance risks, further complicate the reporting process.

As a young team in Afghanistan, we also lack the proper equipment needed for professional journalism. We often rely on basic tools that are inadequate for the scale and sensitivity of the work we do. This limitation makes it harder to produce high-quality reports and maintain the security needed in such a risky environment.

Every day is filled with a constant balance of caution and commitment. While these challenges are overwhelming at times, they fuel my determination to continue shedding light on the stories that need to be told.

Without putting yourself at risk, can you reveal the sort of security measures you have to take and your biggest challenges when gathering stories and working with sources? I rely on encrypted communication methods and a trusted network of sources who understand the risks we all face. I avoid leaving any digital or physical trail that could lead to me or my work. The biggest challenge is accessing firsthand accounts while ensuring the safety of both my sources and myself. The risk of surveillance or retaliation is always present. Our editor-in-chief, Salma Niazi, is instrumental in guiding us through these challenges, providing training and instructions at every step to ensure our safety and the accuracy of our work.

What do you fear the most about doing your job? My biggest fear is endangering the lives of those who share their stories with me. The Talibans strict control and their willingness to punish dissent make every interaction potentially life-threatening for both my sources and myself.

The restrictions on women are constantly changing and being updated. How do you adapt? Adapting requires staying informed about the latest decrees and understanding the risks they pose. I adjust my reporting methods, avoid high-risk areas, and lean on my network for support. Flexibility and vigilance are critical to surviving in such an unpredictable environment.

Our editorial team also plays a vital role in ensuring our safety. They carefully monitor the changing restrictions and frequently update our working methods to keep us protected. Every detail is considered meticulously, allowing us to continue our work as safely as possible in such a dangerous context.

Are there any particular stories you've reported on that have stayed with you or had a significant impact? One story that deeply moved me was about women-only restaurants being shut down. These spaces symbolised a small but meaningful freedom for Afghan women, and their closure marked another devastating loss under Taliban rule. Reporting on the child labour crisis also stays with me-it revealed the harsh reality faced by children in Afghanistan, forced into labour due to poverty and restrictions on womens employment.

How do you decide which stories to pursue in such a restrictive environment? I prioritise stories that shed light on the struggles of marginalized groups, especially women and children. Each story is chosen based on its potential to amplify their voices and bring international attention to their plight, while also weighing the risks involved in pursuing it.

With so many challenges and increa
LINK: http://www.thomsonfoundation.org/latest/reporting-in-silence-young-jou...
See more stories from thompsonfoundation

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

07/10/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Media Operations from Ingest to Distribution

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...

06/09/2026

Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Germany with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...

04/08/2026

Dalet Announces Commercial Availability of Dalia, Bringing Media-Aware Agentic AI to Enterprise Productions

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

15/07/2026

Inside DAZNs Multi-Market World Cup Effort With CTO Sandeep Tiku

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...

15/07/2026

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: Qumulo's Chris Horn on Powering Global Media Workflows Across Edge, Core, and Cloud

As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...

15/07/2026

FIFA World Cup 2026: Inside the HBS Non-Live London Production Hub

HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...

15/07/2026

IBC2026 to Spotlight AI, Live Sports Production, Creator Economy, and Trust in Media

IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...

15/07/2026

Vanessa Paradis Tour Adopts Sennheiser Spectera Wireless Ecosystem for 2026 Production

Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...

15/07/2026

Telos Alliance Integrates AudioShake Source Separation Into Minnetonka AudioTools Server

New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...

15/07/2026

AIMS Schedules Second IPMX Product Certification Event for August

Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...

15/07/2026

Force Tech Appoints Bryan Adams as Vice President of Integration

Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...

15/07/2026

USA Sports and Bundesliga Announce Exclusive Multi-Year U.S. Media Rights Agreement

USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...

15/07/2026

Inside ITV Sport's Stunning FIFA World Cup Studio in New York City With Paul McNamara

ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...

15/07/2026

CatchLight, Sony Launch Equipment Initiative for Local Visual Journalists

Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...

15/07/2026

CornerstoneSF Installs FOR-A HVS-Q12 Switcher in New UHD Production Facility

San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...

15/07/2026

Steve Bornstein Joins Advisory Board of Scott Cokers New Global MMA Promotion

Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...

15/07/2026

Space City Home Network Executive Producer John Valek on Leaning Into Innovation, Access, and Opportunity

The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...

15/07/2026

Freqport unveil the Dual FreqInOut FO1-2RK

Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...

15/07/2026

Expressive E's Summer Offers

Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026 Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...

15/07/2026

Peel Stems 2 from zplane

Real-time stem-separation tool updated zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...

15/07/2026

Baby Audio SubCulture

A new benchmark in bass enhancement Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...

15/07/2026

DMC Production Reimagines Live OB with Calrec

DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...

15/07/2026

FCC to Vote on Replacing National Broadcast Ownership Cap

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

15/07/2026

ATSC Updates Industry Audio Loudness Guidance

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

15/07/2026

GigaCloud and Cubbit partner to deliver sovereign and res...

GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...

15/07/2026

SMPTE Launches 110th Anniversary Campaign to Advance Its...

SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...

15/07/2026

STUDIO TECHNOLOGIES UNVEILS MODEL 762 STEREO LEVEL CONTRO...

Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...

15/07/2026

COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried

COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried Brie Clayton July 15, 2026 0 Comments Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...

15/07/2026

SIMBA powers new streaming delivery network with Broadpea...

Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...

15/07/2026

DHD Introduces Discovery Utility for Network-Connected Au...

DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration. Anyone w...

15/07/2026

BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026 Breaking t...

BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...

15/07/2026

S&P Analysis: Three Quarters of Americans Watch Live Sports

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

15/07/2026

Scripps Sports, Ion Score Women's Volleyball Rights

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

15/07/2026

Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Origins premieres on Sky and NOW on 28 July

Wednesday 15 July 2026 Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...

15/07/2026

Audiences to get behind-the-scenes access to Trinity College Dublin's Old Library in new RT series

Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...

15/07/2026

Building Ireland explores the River Shannon region from Leitrim to Limerick in a new series

Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...

15/07/2026

NVIDIA and Japan Bring Full-Stack AI and Robotics to Every Industry

Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...

14/07/2026

Bowling Green State Upgrades Doyt Perry Stadium With New Daktronics LED Display

South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...

14/07/2026

Mizzou Athletics Launches Connected Digital Platform

Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...

14/07/2026

DePaul Athletics, Playfly Sports Agree to Multimedia Rights Partnership

Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...

14/07/2026

American Association Expands Broadcast Reach Through FanDuel Sports Network Partnership

Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...

14/07/2026

Euroleague Basketball Introduces Euroleague Basketball+ Digital Ecosystem Initiative

New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...

14/07/2026

Professional Fighters League, ESPN Reach Multi-Year Media Rights Deal for Brazil

ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...

14/07/2026

TEGNA Names Scott Gill VP of Technology and Operations

Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...

14/07/2026

Guest Post: Dynamic Media Facilities Could Reshape the Future of Broadcast Workflows

Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) As broadcasters con...

14/07/2026

Bayerischer Rundfunk Debuts Fully Software-Defined SMPTE ST 2110 Radio OB Van Built Around Lawo Technology

Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...

14/07/2026

Scripps Sports, ION Secure U.S. Rights to 2027 FIVB Womens Volleyball World Cup

Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...

14/07/2026

FloSports Lands Exclusive U.S. Rights to IIHF Mens World Championship Beginning in 2027

FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...