TV anchor forced to praise Taliban with armed men behind, during live broadcast (VIDEO)

New Delhi: Ever since Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15, reports of journalists being targeted have raised a concern. Instances of media personnel being attacked are increasing despite Taliban’s assurance to allow free press to function in the country.

A few days back, a Tolo News reporter and a video journalist were thrashed by Taliban fighters in Kabul, while they were reporting in the city. Taliban fighters have reportedly raided the homes of journalists in the past weeks, killing one family member of a reporter working for a German media organization.

Now, in a fresh incident of its kind, a news anchor working with Afghan TV was made to laud Taliban on live broadcast, with armed men behind him carrying assault rifles in the studio.

The visibly scared news anchor was made to say, “That the people of Afghanistan shouldn’t be afraid of Taliban, and that people should cooperate as the Islamic Emirate wants to ensure the their safety”.

Watch Video Here:

This is surreal. Taliban militants are posing behind this visibly petrified TV host with guns and making him to say that people of #Afghanistan shouldn’t be scared of the Islamic Emirate. Taliban itself is synonymous with fear in the minds of millions. This is just another proof. pic.twitter.com/3lIAdhWC4Q

— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) August 29, 2021

The video of the terrifying incident has gone viral with netizens raising questions on the Taliban’s vow of a free press.

Social media users have expressed strong condemnation, criticizing Taliban’s hypocrisy: 

This happened on live TV (“Afghanistan TV” owned by Gen Jurat) two days ago. Bodyguards of a Taliban guest decided to stand behind the host while he was presenting. Why? Perhaps a show of force or just sheer stupidity. pic.twitter.com/IYDYKsmPoo

— Saad Mohseni (@saadmohseni) August 29, 2021

I pray to God that this is a nightmare, and I am going to wake up in the morning and thank God that was a nightmare not a reality we are going to live with for the rest of our lives! It has to be a nightmare, it just f****ing has to be a nightmare!

— افغانAfghanyar (@Windtal53703704) August 29, 2021

All they know how to do is show force and terrorise. That’s it.

— Sandra Khadhouri (@sandrakhad) August 29, 2021

As someone who’s been doing this for years, I can’t even imagine!!! I’m stunned how the host kept it together. So composed and calm. What if he had said something they didn’t like? Then what?

— Asieh Namdar (@asiehnamdar) August 29, 2021

Good lord! I can’t breathe. How on earth he spoke so well… no pauses, no stutters…
He is the Afghan kind of brave, for sure 😳

— bojomojoso (@bojomojoso1) August 29, 2021

“An eye on the host and an eye on my weapon”. pic.twitter.com/GR6W4Kj8Ol

— PEATHRUS (@PEATHRUS) August 29, 2021