Taliban rules restrict the role of women on Afghan television

Reporters were asked to wear a hijab and broadcasters warned not to show dramas with female actors.

Afghan journalists and rights activists have condemned the Taliban's "religious guidelines" that restrict women from appearing on television, as Islamists attempt to silence the press. Broadcasters are being asked to stop showing dramas and soap operas with female actors following a Sunday announcement by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Additionally, it instructed TV stations not to show films or programs that are against Islamic or Afghan values and asked female reporters to wear a hijab while working. According to Afghan channel Zan TV, which employs exclusively female producers and reporters, the guidelines threaten freedom of speech and will reduce the presence of female journalists in the country.

It is uncertain how the Taliban interprets the hijab - which can range from a hair cover to a face veil or full body cover - and most Afghan women already wear headscarves.

Taliban swept back to power three months ago, and now they are attempting to regulate the media.

A ministry spokesman said after the announcement that the measures amounted to “religious guidelines” rather than rules. Despite promising to protect freedom of the press, Taliban members have beaten and harassed Afghan journalists covering protests.

* This article contained information that was sourced from The Guardian.