- Taliban express support for Twitter’s freedom of expression
- Users criticize Taliban’s hypocrisy on free speech
- Meta actively removes Taliban-affiliated accounts
Afghanistan’s Taliban have expressed their support for Twitter proprietor Elon Musk’s laissez-faire approach to the platform’s censorship policies.
Anas Haqqani, a senior Taliban leader without an official portfolio, stated late Monday that Twitter had “two important advantages” over other social media platforms following the launch of rival Threads, which is owned by Meta.
“The foremost privilege is freedom of expression. The second advantage is Twitter’s public aspect and credibility,” he tweeted.
Twitter’s policy is not as intolerant as Meta’s. Other platforms cannot substitute for it.”
Some users responded angrily, pointing out that the Taliban government does not grant its citizens the same liberties.
Before their return to power in August 2021, the Taliban had a low-key presence on social media. Before that, many of their accounts, as well as those of sympathizers, were frequently blocked upon creation.
Most ministries and provincial departments now have official Twitter accounts, but none appear to have paid for a blue checkmark since Twitter’s verification system was discontinued this year.
Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and now Threads, is still actively removing Taliban-affiliated accounts.
Social media watchers claim “Taliban” or “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” profiles and those with the flag are short-lived.
Facebook shut down the pages of state-owned Radio Television Afghanistan and Bakhtar News Agency last year, citing compliance with U.S. laws classifying the Taliban as a “terrorist organization.”
Last year, Musk bought Twitter and removed limitations on tens of thousands of accounts, including Donald Trump’s.
Many were suspended for challenging US election results, pushing conspiracies, Covid misinformation, and intolerance.
‘Sweet varnish’
Haqqani, son of renowned anti-Russian mujahideen fighter-turned-Taliban Jalaluddin Haqqani and sibling of interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, is among the movement’s youngest political leaders.
He tweets in English on cricket, poetry, and politics to more than half a million followers.
Several individuals were quick to criticize his remarks on free speech on Tuesday, citing the “hypocrisy” of his statements.
Several Afghans have been detained for criticising the Taliban government on social media.
Exiled author and activist Homeira Qaderi wrote, “How disgraceful it is for you to speak about freedom of expression.”
Another exile, journalist, and activist Natiq Malikzada, tweeted: “Lol, praising freedom of speech as a veneer to hide your dark regime, while thousands of Afghans languish in prison for criticizing your oppressive rule.
