The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and media watchdog the Afghanistan Journalists Center have condemned the Taliban’s closure of Radio Begum, a station in Afghanistan that broadcast educational content for girls.
UNAMA stated that the Taliban has detained the employees for “exercising their right to freedom of expression,” and is calling for its immediate reopening and the release of its staff.
Radio Begum posted on Facebook on February 5 that Taliban intelligence forces raided its office in Kabul with representatives from the Taliban Ministry of Information and Culture on February 4. Two male employees who held no managerial positions were detained, the post said.
It further added that following the interrogation of the station’s employees, the Taliban seized “computers, hard drives, documents, and mobile phones of female journalists.”
The network has urgently called for the release of its detained employees.
“Until our colleagues are released, Radio Begum will not make any statements regarding this matter due to concerns for their safety,” it said.
The Taliban Ministry of Information and Culture issued a statement saying that Radio Begum’s activities were suspended due to “multiple media violations” and “misusing” its operating licence. The statement also alleged that the station had been providing content to a foreign media network.
The statement said that a decision about the radio’s future activities would be made after a “thorough review” of the documents.
Radio Begum has said its mission is providing educational opportunities for girls and supporting women in Afghanistan, asserting that it has never been involved in political activities.
The station was established on March 8, 2021, coinciding with International Women’s Solidarity Day, by Hamida Aman, an Afghan entrepreneur residing in France.
The radio station broadcasted on the 90.1FM frequency in 12 provinces, including Kabul, Parwan, Bamyan, Baghlan, Logar, Maidan Wardak, and Ghazni.
In addition to its radio broadcasts, Begum Academy, founded by Hamida Aman, provided online education to girls above the sixth grade who were deprived of schooling.
Educational audio packages from Begum Academy were also shared through Radio Begum.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AfJC) has condemned the closure of both Radio Begum and Radio Jawanan, calling it a clear violation of the rights of these two private media outlets and their employees.
AfJC reported that the Taliban raided both Radio Begum and Radio Jawanan on February 4 and detained their employees, including a sports reporter from Radio Jawanan. It called on the Taliban to lift the unlawful restrictions imposed on these media outlets, release their employees immediately, and allow their offices to reopen without conditions.
In a related statement, the AfJC urged the Taliban to operate in accordance with Afghanistan’s media law.
Radio Jawanan issued a statement stating that the Taliban closed the station for being adjacent to Radio Begum “without any reason.” The station has called on its audience to support the release of its sports journalist and the resumption of its activities.
Radio Jawanan has been operating since 2011 with its stated aim to raise civic awareness, promote dialogue among people, and enhance cultural understanding.
AfJC has reported that over the past year, at least 18 news outlets have been shut down by the Taliban. Among them, 14 radio and television stations remain closed and have not been granted permission to reopen.
