
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
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
12/02/2026
Our Medicine S2: Frontline Medicine Through A Blak Lens
12 February, 2026
Media releases
A Bigger, Bolder Second Series showcasing First Nations Frontline ...
12/02/2026
L3Harris' VAMPIRE system fires Thales Belgian-made 70 MM rocket from an FZ60...
12/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/02/2026
The production team of the long-running German investigative series Achtung Abzocke recently upgraded its cameras for the show's 12th season. The objectiv...
12/02/2026
Leading provider of video streaming solutions, Bitmovin, has appointed Ian Baglow as Co-CEO alongside existing CEO and Co-Founder Stefan Lederer. Under this str...
12/02/2026
Vizrt, a leading viewer engagement platform and a trusted expert in live production technologies, today announces the launch of four Campus Stadium Production B...
12/02/2026
Strategic agreement to deliver S3 cloud storage in Switzerland with full data sovereignty and local control including at the level of individual cantons plu...
12/02/2026
Mad About Video is a leading specialist in video for live events and installations throughout Malta. In operation since 2011, it has evolved from a company focu...
12/02/2026
JAGGAER, a global leader in digital procurement and supplier collaboration solutions, today announced the successful delivery of a procurement digitalization pr...
12/02/2026
At NAB Show, LiveU will showcase its broadest IP-video EcoSystem to date, designed to help broadcasters and content creators embrace digital first operations, d...
12/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/02/2026
The six-part crime drama, created by Claire Oakley and produced by Little Door P...
12/02/2026
Wuppertal February 12, 2026
Riedel Opens Kuala Lumpur Office to Strengthen Glo...
12/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix unveils the trailer for That Night
Entertainment
12 February 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
WATCH THE TRAILER
DOWNLOA...
12/02/2026
The Digital Product Passport: A New Era of Transparency and Sustainability
Arvato Systems supports companies in getting started with the digital product passp...
12/02/2026
At leading institutions across the globe, the NVIDIA DGX Spark desktop supercomputer is bringing data center class AI to lab benches, faculty offices and studen...
12/02/2026
A diagnostic insight in healthcare. A character's dialogue in an interactive...
12/02/2026
The GeForce NOW sixth-anniversary festivities roll on this February, continuing a monthlong celebration of NVIDIA's cloud gaming service.
This week brings ...
12/02/2026
TIME100 Health list features Scripps Research Professor Darrell Irvine Irvine is recognized for his work in empowering the immune system to fight disease, which...
11/02/2026
FYI: Phone Support Maintenance One thing we pride ourselves on here at Utah Scientific is our 24-hour support included with our signature 10-year hardware warra...
11/02/2026
Leading provider of video streaming solutions, Bitmovin, has appointed Ian Baglow as Co-CEO alongside existing CEO and Co-Founder Stefan Lederer. Under this str...
11/02/2026
Paramount and the CBS Television Network will partner to air UFC 326: HOLLOWAY vs. OLIVEIRA 2 live on Saturday, March 7, from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, mar...
11/02/2026
Beginning February 10, fans can buy MLB.TV on ESPN, a new milestone in one of sports media's longest-standing partnerships. ESPN becomes the new streaming h...
11/02/2026
Fubo Sports Network is available to Hulu's Live TV subscribers in the core $89.99 a month subscription plan, which also includes full access to the entire H...
11/02/2026
Following a competitive public tender process, Rai (Radiotelevisione Italiana), the national public broadcasting company of Italy, has awarded Imagine Communica...
11/02/2026
Major League Baseball is making in-market streaming subscriptions for 20 Clubs available today for fans. Subscriptions for the following Clubs are available vi...
11/02/2026
Building on successful demonstrations during the Paris Olympics 2024, Italian public service broadcaster Rai and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are condu...
11/02/2026
Following Sunday's Super Bowl LX, ESPN and Disney unveiled We're Going,...
11/02/2026
Delayed streams are a growing source of frustration for sports fans. During the 2026 Super Bowl, some streams lagged up to 62 seconds behind the action on the f...
11/02/2026
NASCAR and FloSports announces an expanded slate of racing events that will bring FloRacing coverage live throughout the 2026 season to the NASCAR Channel, furt...
11/02/2026
Manifold technologies GmbH announces the appointment of Nick Tucker as Sales Manager for Europe, reinforcing the company's continued growth across broadcast...
11/02/2026
Genies, the AI avatar technology company powering the next era of interactive digital identity, entered into a landmark collaboration with MLB Players, Inc., th...
11/02/2026
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Google have joined forces for an AI-...
11/02/2026
Dolby's CEO Kevin Yeaman and Giles Baker, SVP of Dolby Cloud Solutions, shared how the brand's latest innovations - Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby...
11/02/2026
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment has entered a first of its kind partnership with Major League Baseball, which will provide broadcast support to both the Detroit T...
11/02/2026
For major U.S. events like Super Bowl 2026, FIFA World Cup, America 250, and the...
11/02/2026
Broadcasts of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings will also be produced by the leagu...
11/02/2026
Video moves fast can your DAM keep up?
Join Blue Lucy in LA for the West Coast's leading Digital Asset Management event as we explore, celebrate, and acc...
11/02/2026
NEW YORK - February 10, 2026 - An estimated 124.9 million viewers watched Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, according to Nielsen's Big Data Panel measu...