Salma Niazi

Salma Niazi
Salma Niazi in 2026
Born21/04/2001
Laghman, Afghanistan
OccupationJournalist
SpouseSaeedullah Safi (m. 2022-present)
Writing career
Notable workThe Afghan Times

Salma Niazi (born 2001) is an Afghan journalist and the founder of The Afghan Times. Fleeing to Ireland in 2024 after the Taliban recaptured Afghanistan in 2021, she continues her journalistic endeavors in exile.[1][2] [3]

Niazi was born in a village in Laghman Province, Afghanistan. By the age of 16, she was the only female journalist in her province, advocating for women's representation in the media.[1][4][5]

Career

Niazi began her journalism career as a teenager. She worked in local radio, becoming a voice for Afghan women's rights. Her work included reporting on issues such as gender discrimination, education, and women's roles in society.[6]

The Afghan Times

In 2021, after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, Niazi fled first to Pakistan, and then to Ireland to escape increasing restrictions and threats against female journalists.[7] Determined to continue her advocacy for women's rights, she founded The Afghan Times in August 2021.[8] The online platform, run entirely by women, provides news in both Pashto and English.[9][10][11][12]

Salma has maintained The Afghan Times, leading a team of journalists and photographers operating covertly within Afghanistan. By mentoring a network of youth reporters and staying connected to over 100 young women contributors nationwide, she continues to amplify voices from across the country.[7]

Awards

  • "One Young World Journalist of the Year 2025" for positive social impact of her work[13]
  • Lyra McKee Award for Bravery for her work reporting on the rights of women in Afghanistan.[14] [15]
  • 1st place “Young Reporters Writing” category at the International Sport Press Association’s (AIPS) 2025 Sport Media Awards [16] [17] [18]

References

  1. 1 2 "Female Afghan journalists continue their fight from abroad". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  2. ↑ "Afghan female journalists in exile and founders of 'The Afghan Times' talk career and challenges". www.aipsmedia.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  3. ↑ "Saeedullah Safi: Three years ago Afghanistan fell to the Taliban and we had to flee the country we loved". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  4. ↑ TG24, Sky (2024-06-20). "Come continua la lotta delle donne afghane: la storia di Salma". tg24.sky.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-07-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ "Salma Niazi | One Young World". www.oneyoungworld.com. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  6. ↑ "Being a woman under Taliban rule is like being 'sentenced to death in slow motion'". ABC News. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  7. 1 2 "Salma Niazi - Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Afghan Times". One Young World.
  8. ↑ "Saeedullah Safi: Three years ago Afghanistan fell to the Taliban and we had to flee the country we loved". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  9. ↑ "Waiting for darkness to use the toilet: What life is like for women in flood-affected Afghanistan". ABC News. 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  10. ↑ Asia/Pacific, I. U. F. (2023-05-29). "The current situation of women workers in Afghanistan – a report by The Afghan Times for IUF Asia/Pacific". IUF Asia-Pacific. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  11. ↑ "The Taliban will go to any lengths to silence Afghan women — but we will have our voices heard". ABC Religion & Ethics. 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  12. ↑ "Zeta - The Afghan Times, the media that gives women a voice against the Taliban". Zeta (in Italian). 2025-01-07. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  13. ↑ "Afghan journalist Salma Niazi wins international awards for bravery and journalism". Amu TV. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  14. ↑ "Lyra McKee award 'motivation' for journalists around the world". BBC. 13 September 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  15. ↑ Holderness, © Mike. "Lyra McKee award for bravery goes to Salma Niazi from Afghanistan". The Freelance. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  16. ↑ Times, The Afghan (2026-04-10). "Afghan Times Journalist Becomes First Afghan to Win Top Prize at AIPS Sport Media Awards - The Afghan Times". Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  17. ↑ "Winners of AIPS Sport Media Awards 2025 crowned in stunning ceremony at Olympic Museum in Lausanne". www.aipsmedia.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  18. ↑ "Winners of AIPS Sport Media Awards 2025 crowned in stunning ceremony at Olympic Museum in Lausanne". www.aipsawards.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
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