The Taliban, a movement led by radical Islamic scholars in command of ranks of unsophisticated former students from austere religious schools, has been trying to isolate the population from television since it began capturing cities in 1996. The movement also banned audiotapes, films and most other forms of entertainment. After the fall of Kabul, the capital, to the Taliban in September 1996, the national television center was closed. But the Taliban did not follow through on threats to confiscate videotapes or satellite dishes. Not many Afghans can afford satellite dishes, and there seems to be no information on how many still exist.
Video players are more common, though still limited largely to the urban elite.
Sussman, whose organization compiles an annual study of press freedom worldwide, says he classifies 19 of 186 countries as repressive in their control of information. The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, wedged between India and China, also bans satellite dishes, on the ground that its distinctive culture could be quickly diluted. But the country plans to create its own television service and, in the meantime, allows video players. Video shops proliferate. Sussman said the Taliban's new rules appeared to be the harshest anywhere.