The Afghanistan Journalists Center has reported and condemned the closure of three local radio stations by the Taliban in Kandahar province.
The center reported on Sunday, May 24, that the radio stations “Tahsin al-Quran,” “Sanga,” and “Zama Ziwer” were shut down by the Taliban’s Information and Culture directorate, with the participation of the group’s intelligence apparatus and the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA).
According to the report, the Taliban cited the lack of official licenses, failure to pay taxes for several years, and non-standard broadcasting as justifications for the decision.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center described the move as “another clear sign of the ongoing suppression of free media” in the country and strongly condemned it.
The report further noted that the claims regarding tax debts and non-standard broadcasting were inaccurate, particularly in the cases of “Sanga” and “Zama Ziwer,” asserting that the Taliban are using such pretexts to shut down independent media outlets.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, restrictions on media have increased at an unprecedented level, and a large number of outlets have been forced to close.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center stated that, at present, aside from the national radio, only 10 local private radio stations remain operational in Kandahar, all of which are facing severe restrictions and a significant decline in advertising revenues.
