The Taliban forced Nasim Radio, a local radio station in Daikundi province in central Afghanistan, to shut down on Wednesday, September 27. They also arrested its director and two reporters.
According to Afghanistan Journalists’ Centre (AFJC), the employees were subsequently released after five hours, but the station remains closed.
AFJC said that General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) forces raided the station’s office at approximately 12:00 PM and confiscated the employees’ work tools, including mobile phones and voice recorders, and sealed the gate of the radio station.
The GDI subsequently detained the head of the radio station, Sultan Ali Javadi, along with reporters Saifullah Rezaei and Mojtaba Qasemi.
As of now, local Taliban officials have not commented on the reason for the closure of Nasim Radio and the arrest of its employees. However, AFJC cited a credible source indicating that it may be due to the rebroadcasting of programs from a foreign radio network.
AFJC strongly condemns the attack on the radio station as an attempt to suppress and restrict the activities of free media. AFJC requests that the Taliban issue permission to reopen Nasim Radio and refrain from obstructing the free activity of media outlets and their employees.
The Afghan Supporting Independent Media (NAI), also issued a statement saying that systematic restrictions on access to information have made the future of journalism in Afghanistan uncertain. It also expressed concerns about challenges such as limited access to information, lack of job security, and physical violence against journalists and media personnel.
According to Afghanistan’s media law, media should be free to carry out their professional work without restrictions or threats. Officials should be supportive of the media and journalists.
Earlier this year, the Taliban Ministry of Information and Culture affirmed that no other entity has the right to interfere in media affairs or the work of journalists.
Photo: AFJC
This story first appeared on RadioInfo.asia