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Transcript/ScriptAfghanistan Media Changes
HEADLINE: Entertainment TV Under the Taliban
TEASER: Taliban have put restrictions on entertainment channels but seem to be giving them time to adjust.
PUBLISHED AT: 2/13/22 1109a
BYLINE: Ayesha Tanzeem
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
VIDEOGRAPHER: Mohammad Zaki Yousofzai
PRODUCER: Wakar Ahmed
SCRIPT EDITORS: Steve Hirsch, pcd
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO))
[[Afghanistan had a thriving news and entertainment media landscape before the Taliban took over the country. Six months into the Taliban government, VOA’s Ayesha Tanzeem takes stock of how the media scene has changed.]]
((NARRATOR))
((VIDEO: TV serials from before takeover))
This is what entertainment channels in Afghanistan looked like under the previous regime. Not anymore. The Taliban are asking them to change their output.
((FOR RADIO: Hadi Sahar is a senior producer in Afghanistan TV channel called 1TV))
((Hadi Sahar, senior producer, 1TV) male in English))
"Islamic Emirates officials asked us to ban all of the serials that aired from 1TV [One TV].
((Reporter off-camera))
“So what have you replaced the serials with?
((Sahar))
“Right now it is replaced with Iranian serials.
((Reporter off-camera))
“And why are Iranian serials more acceptable?
((Sahar))
“Because they say it is Islamic and they observe the hijab, and people like these kinds of serials, according to Taliban or Islamic Emirate officials.”
(((NARRATOR))
((VIDEO: Shots of music show))
Popular live music shows on TV are now off the air. In the last six months, in-house entertainment production on most channels has come to a grinding halt.
((Ayesha Tanzeem, VOA News) stand up version))
((Narrator, nonstandup version))
This room used to be the production hub of 1TV’s OK? entertainment programming. That has all ended. Now the women sitting here are trying to figure out how to produce Islamic programming that meets the Taliban’s requirements.
((NARRATOR))
((Generic shots of Afghan journalists))
When it comes to news, many journalists tell VOA self-censorship has become the norm under the new Taliban regime. They would not dare criticize the government or its performance as they did during the previous regime. No one wanted to say it on the record out of fear.
Female journalists face their own set of issues.
((FOR RADIO: says Fakhria Radfar, a reporter for Tolonews channel))
((Fakhria Radfar, Reporter, Tolonews) female in Dari))
"Previously we were allowed to go freely anywhere to report. But not anymore. For example, some ministries and offices don't allow women to come inside."
((NARRATOR))
((Shots of female anchors with heads fully covered))
The Taliban have also told female anchors on news channels to change their appearance.
((FOR RADIO: according to Sana Amiri, a news anchor on 1TV.))
((Sana Apollo Amiri, Anchor, 1TV) female in Dari))
“After the arrival of the Taliban, female journalists have to hide their hair. Previously, we covered our heads, but it was not so strict. Now, we must fully change our wardrobe because they're in government.”
((NARRATOR))
((VIDEO: shots of female anchors with head half covered or entertainment serials with women showing hair))
Still, the Taliban seem to be giving people time to adjust. Some Afghan radio and TV channels still air music, although far less than before. A few foreign entertainment programs featuring women without their heads covered continue to be on the air.
((VIDEO: generic shots of Afghan media))
The media’s troubles include a flight of both capital and talent from the country. When the Taliban took over, most of the famous entertainers and journalists left. Foreign funding and ad revenue dried up.
The channels are now struggling to survive with far less money and far more restrictions. According to an International Federation of Journalists survey, more than 300 Afghan media outlets have shut due to financial problems and Taliban restrictions. Thousands of media professionals have lost their jobs, 70% of them women.
Ayesha Tanzeem, VOA News, Kabul, Afghanistan
NewsML Media TopicsSociety, Lifestyle and Leisure, Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 13, 2022 13:16 EST
BylineAyesha Tanzeem
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
