The Committee to Protect Journalists and the #KeepItOn coalition call on Taliban authorities to pledge no further internet shutdowns in Afghanistan and ensure that citizens have access to information and journalists can continue to do their jobs. 

The joint statement issued on October 1 by 66 civil society groups strongly condemned the nationwide internet blackout imposed by the Taliban on September 29, before access was restored some 48 hours later.

The shutdown severely disrupted access to information, cutting off online media broadcasts from Afghanistan and hindered the ability of Afghan journalists to report and communicate safely, news reports said. The blackout not only undermines press freedom but also further isolates the Afghan people from the global community.

Read the full statement here.

This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.

This post was originally published on Radio Free.