The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AJC) has condemned the closure of Radio Seday-e Eslah and the suspension of its operations by the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice, calling for the media outlet to be allowed to reopen.
The center said in a statement issued on Monday, September 7, that the closure of Radio Seday-e Eslah is a sign of increasing pressure by the Taliban on independent media and growing restrictions on freedom of expression in Afghanistan.
According to the statement, Radio Seday-e Eslah was shut down by employees of the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice on August 5, five days after the radio station held celebrations marking the 18th anniversary of its establishment.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center said the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice cited the radio station’s affiliation with the “Afghanistan Reform and Social Development Association” as the reason for its closure.
The Taliban have banned the activities of political parties and movements, saying that media outlets affiliated with such groups are also not allowed to operate.
However, a journalist with Radio Seday-e Eslah said that the media outlet was transferred to new owners in 2018 and has since continued its operations under the management of Hamidullah Amiri, the owner and license holder, and Naqibullah Hayat, the editor-in-chief.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center said the closure of the media outlet violates the rights of a private and independent media organization and called on the Taliban to facilitate the reopening of Radio Seday-e Eslah as soon as possible.
