The Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture in Kandahar has announced the suspension of broadcasts from three local radio stations and the closure of their offices.
In a statement released today, Sunday, May 24, the directorate named Zewar Radio, Tahsin-ul-Quran Radio, and Sangi Radio, saying that their operations had been halted.
According to the statement, the reasons for suspending these radio stations included the lack of licenses, unpaid taxes, and “non-standard” broadcasting.
Meanwhile, officials from the closed media outlets said that the economic situation for media organizations in Afghanistan has become extremely difficult, and due to financial problems, they are unable to pay the fees imposed by the Taliban.
The statement also noted that the Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture instructed several other local radio stations in Kandahar to ensure that their broadcasts comply with “the law and Islamic and moral values.”
Since returning to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on media activities and journalists.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center says that through restrictive regulations, the Taliban exercise direct oversight over all aspects of media work from selecting topics and program guests to producing and publishing content and closely control media output.
According to the organization, violating the restrictions imposed by the Taliban can lead to consequences for journalists and media outlets.
Last week, the Taliban also shut down another local outlet, Bamyan Radio, in Bamyan Province, but they have not yet officially commented on the reason for that action.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
