Taliban shuts down women’s radio station in Afghanistan

The Taliban raided the prominent women’s radio station, Radio Begum, in Kabul on Tuesday, confiscating equipment and detaining two male employees. The broadcaster condemned the raid and called for the immediate release of the staff members.

According to the Ministry of Information and Culture, the station was suspended for “multiple violations,” marking another crackdown on local media outlets in Afghanistan. The General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), supported by the ministry, conducted the raid, seizing computers, phones, and hard drives.

The detained employees, who were not in senior management roles, were arrested without further explanation. Radio Begum refrained from providing additional details for fear of jeopardizing the security of the individuals. The station urged the authorities to release them quickly and ensure their safety.

The Ministry of Information and Culture claimed that Radio Begum had violated broadcasting policies and was distributing content to a foreign TV station. It said the suspension would remain in effect while the ministry reviewed the station’s licensing documents and made a final decision.

Radio Begum denied the allegations, stating it had never engaged in political activity and remained committed to serving Afghan women through educational content, book readings, and counseling programs.

The move to suspend the station has drawn sharp criticism from freedom of expression advocates. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for the immediate reversal of the ban, highlighting the Taliban’s ongoing efforts to restrict media freedom. In 2024, at least 12 Afghan media outlets were shut down.

Radio Begum, founded on International Women’s Day in 2021, was established before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. It has since become a vital voice for Afghan women, providing essential programming in the face of widespread gender restrictions. The station’s founder, Hamida Aman, also launched Begum TV, a satellite television channel offering educational content for Afghan girls and women from Paris.

The Taliban’s closure of Radio Begum follows a broader trend of censorship, with a crackdown on women’s representation in media and public life. Many women in Afghanistan have been forced out of education and certain workplaces, while female TV personalities are required to wear full coverings, leaving only their eyes and hands visible.

The recent raid echoes previous actions, such as the December closure of Arezo TV and the detention of its employees, further demonstrating the Taliban’s tightening grip on media and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.

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