A new private radio station called Aynak Radio has started broadcasting in Pul-e-Alam, Logar province, Afghanistan, after a two-month trial period.
The station was inaugurated on January 14, and its launch was attended by Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Rafiullah Samim, Director of Information and Culture of Logar Province, Maulvi Mirwais Wahidullah, Director of the provincial office, Maulvi Shabir Ahmad Siddiqui, Director of Industry and Trade and local media officials.
Currently, Logar province has five media outlets, including private radio stations Pahand Melli, Zainat, Ittihad, Mahal, and the Taliban-run National Radio.
Radio Aynak airs on 95.5 FM from 6 am to 12 pm, reaching areas in Wardak, Paktia, Kabul, and Logar provinces. It covers various topics like politics, society, culture, religion, health, and education. It also has special segments for children and women.
The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, said: “The Islamic Emirate is a full supporter and co-operator of the media,” and asked the media to broadcast according to the Sharia and to take into account the policies of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. He emphasized the importance of new media outlets and assured that the Taliban government is committed to fighting censorship and promoting information freedom.
Rafiullah Samim, Director of Information and Culture of Logar, said: “It is a place of happiness that today we are once again witnessing the opening of a new radio station in this province, With the arrival of the Islamic Emirate, the situation of the media has improved and so far no problem has arisen between the media and the provincial administration in this province.”
Ahmad Qureshi, the executive head of the Afghanistan Journalists Center, praised the establishment of Aynak Radio despite the tough economic and media conditions. He hopes that Aynak Radio will play an independent and effective role in the media landscape.
This story first appeared on RadioInfo.asia