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In Afghanistan, news stations and the media are bracing for sequels to the Taliban's return to power.
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Violating Islamic laws or harming Afghanistan's national interest is no laughing matter.
That is what prompted Afghanistan's most popular private television network to pull the plug on its off-colour Turkish soap opera and music shows on which double entendres are often used.
It is tamer programs tailored to the country's new Taliban rulers that are now replacing the aforementioned shows.
While new Taliban rulers have only issued vague directives that Afghan media must not contradict Islamic laws or harm national interest, or they will have to face the music, independent Afghan news stations are keeping female presenters on the air, hoping the open and inclusive government will uphold media freedom.
As the world remains all eyes on how the Taliban will govern the embattled country, the new regime's treatment of the media, as well as their policies towards women are now considered key indicators of how the Taliban regime will rule the country.
But memories of the regime enforcing a harsh interpretation of Islam, barring girls and women from schools and public life, and brutally suppressing dissent, remain forever etched.
In earnest, following the ousting of the Taliban regime in 2001 due to the U.S.-led invasion were a proliferation of media outlets, and women regaining their freedom in the deeply conservative society.
Nevertheless, having said that, many Afghan women still aren't feeling at ease despite the Taliban's promise to grant amnesty.
Such is the case for Afghan female TV news presenter, Behishta Arghand.
Fighting back the tears, she pleaded with the Taliban not to renege on its promises and uphold women's rights, as that is what will make for a beautiful Afghanistan.
Behishta Arghand: Afghan women don't want to go back. They want to go forward. All of the women have rights in all of the world. So why Afghan women don't have rights? We struggled 20 years for a beautiful Afghanistan, for a country that we all love more than ourselves. Please let the women to go to job. Please, do what you promised. And if they do what they promised, I think, one day, we (will) have a very beautiful and good Afghanistan.
Against her better judgment, Arghand fled Afghanistan right after the interview with the privately owned Tolo news on August 17, looking askance at the Taliban's promises of amnesty and forming an open and inclusive government.
And fear it should, as there have been reports of journalists being beaten and threatened by the Taliban.
At the same time, Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar will start leading a new Afghan government soon.
But as only cooler heads prevail, remnants of the ousted government's military forces are so opposed to the Taliban, both sides are playing a blame game due to the failure at reaching a settlement.
For now, with vague directives and guidelines perceived to be ominous by many, Afghan journalists now wonder what the future holds for them, as well as their beloved Afghanistan.
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