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Photo: Caroline Taix/AFP

Condemnation of the Suspension of Radio Begum; Taliban Attempting to Silence Diverse Voices in Afghanistan

February 5, 2025

Zan News

Zan News: The Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization and the Afghanistan Journalists Center have condemned the Taliban's suspension of Radio Begum's broadcasts, calling it a sign of the suppression of freedom of expression and the restriction of free flow of information in the country.

These organizations, in separate statements issued on Tuesday (February 4), called for respect for journalists' rights and an end to pressure on independent media.

The Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization, in its statement, emphasized that the suspension of Radio Begum is part of a broader crackdown on free media and an attempt to silence diverse voices in Afghanistan.

The organization added: "We call on the relevant authorities (Taliban) to respect the principle of freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right guaranteed by Afghan laws and international documents, and to refrain from shutting down media outlets and restricting the free flow of information."

The Afghanistan Journalists Center, in a separate statement, described the suspension of Radio Begum's broadcasts as a violation of the country's media law and an action aimed at suppressing the activities of free media.

The center urged Taliban officials to reconsider their decision and allow Radio Begum to continue its operations in accordance with media laws.

According to statistics from the Afghanistan Journalists Center, at least 18 news outlets have been shut down in the past 12 months due to direct orders from Taliban officials or imposed restrictions. These statistics highlight a concerning trend of media suppression and violations of freedom of expression in Afghanistan.

It is worth noting that the Taliban's Ministry of Information and Culture announced yesterday that Radio Begum's broadcasts have been suspended due to "violations of broadcasting policies." In a press release, the ministry claimed that Radio Begum had abused its activity license and committed broadcasting violations.

However, sources reported that Taliban intelligence agents and employees of the Ministry of Information and Culture raided Radio Begum's office in Kabul yesterday. After conducting a search, they confiscated computers, hard drives, documents, and mobile phones belonging to female journalists and two male employees. These employees did not hold any senior management positions.

This comes as the Taliban, since regaining control of Afghanistan, has imposed extensive restrictions on media and journalists, repeatedly detaining journalists and blocking media outlets in various parts of the country. This approach has faced widespread condemnation from domestic and international organizations advocating for freedom of expression.

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