Deep Divide Between the Taliban and Afghan Society: When the Taliban Narrative Loses Credibility.
In recent months, the Taliban have realized that in the arena of media and narrative control, they have largely ceded ground to independent media, particularly international outlets.
Domestic media under Taliban control has lost much public trust due to one-sided, propagandistic reporting, prompting citizens to increasingly rely on independent media for reliable information, which now serves as the primary source of public awareness.
Amid expanding protests and public dissatisfaction in the provinces of Takhar and Badakhshan, local Taliban officials have attempted to manage their legitimacy crisis through campaigns and organized programs.
However, more than four years of Taliban governance have shown that media propaganda and sermonizing cannot conceal the group’s failures, widespread corruption, ethical abuses, and violent conduct.
Their religious and public legitimacy has significantly eroded.
For instance, the Taliban’s Department of Information and Culture in Takhar organized a so called “Scientific Conference,” which in practice consisted of repetitive, low-content speeches attended by a small number of department staff.
Critics argue that the Taliban’s narrative remains based on the slogan “Defeat of Occupation,” whereas the current reality marked by a lack of clear vision, political deadlock, and public dissatisfaction demonstrates that this narrative holds neither domestic nor international credibility.
