ASIA

The Afghan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) suspended 17 broadcast licenses for 14 media outlets on July 22 in eastern Nangarhar province due to non-payment of taxes, raising significant concerns about press freedom in the region.ATRA is a regulatory body that operates as part of the Taliban’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.The Taliban had already shut down seven media outlets in the first half of this year, including several radio stations across different provinces.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) acknowledged that many media outlets owe back taxes ranging from one to ten years. Currently, only 14 radio stations remain operational in Nangarhar.Local media officials reported that economic difficulties have increased since the Taliban’s return to power, with advertising revenue, their primary income source, significantly decreasing.The order also stipulated that the outlets must renew their licenses and pay any outstanding fees or risk having all the outlet’s licenses revoked, according to CPJ’s review of the order, the exiled Afghanistan Journalists Center watchdog group, and a journalist who spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity.Outlets with suspended radio licenses include:“Taliban officials must immediately reverse their decision to suspend the broadcast licenses of 14 active media outlets in Nangarhar province that collectively reach millions of people,” said Beh Lih Yi, CPJ Asia program coordinator. “The Taliban continues to exert pressure on media outlets to control their programming and broadcasting operations in Afghanistan. They must cease these tactics and allow the independent media to operate freely.” […]

The Radio Days Asia schedule is packed from morning til night for the conference days, but if you fly in early, here are some suggestions of how to spend an extra day in Kuala Lumpur from well known radio industry locals.We asked the team at Malaysia’s only independent radio station BFM, heard on 89.9 for their favourite food outlets and places to visit. The audience at BFM appreciate the station’s varied programming areas which include not only business and current affairs, but also food, arts, sports, music and fashion.The BFM team are happy to welcome Conference visitors and keen to share their passion for food  and culture in K.L. Below is a list of their favourite places, compiled by Caroline Oh, BFM’s program director.

“When in KL, do as BFM-ers do.” said Caroline.“We love to eat. Yes it is a national obsession. And the folks at BFM Media are no different. So we collectively put together this long list of places to eat what we like, and then a list of places of interest you might visit to walk off those calories. Needless to say this list does not exhaust what the city has to offer. To learn more about the people and places of Kuala Lumpur, listen to I Love KL, on BFM 89.9.” FIRST…  MAKANHai Kah Lang TRX https://guide.michelin.com/my/en/kuala-lumpur-region/kuala-lumpur/restaurant/hai-kah-langGet the mixed seafood noodles (or fried fillet noodles for the less adventurous). I like to get the tomato soup here, and love the added wine. VCR (in Galloway and TRX) https://vcr.my/menu/askthebarista/vcr-stacks-trx/They make a mean coffee here, and the English muffin is delicious if you’re looking for something different here from what’s on offer at the hotel! Nasi Lemak Wanjo (Kampung Baru) https://www.instagram.com/nasilemakwanjokgbaru/?hl=enGreat (almost) all-day nasi lemak, to fuel you up to explore the rest of the Kampung Baru enclave. Pizza Mansion (Jalan Mesui) https://www.instagram.com/pizzamansion/?hl=enGood pizza, good wine, don’t skip on the chilli and basil-infused oils.BarTolo (Pasar Seni) https://www.instagram.com/bartolobakehouse/?hl=enA new spot, serving Portuguese plates and delicious egg tarts and pastries. Look out for their jazz nights. Yut Kee (Jalan Kamunting) https://www.bangsarbabe.com/2016/04/yut-kee-jalan-dang-wangi-kuala-lumpur.htmlAn almost-century old establishment, famous for their Hainanese-style chicken and pork chops, and butter cake and Swiss rolls.Fifty Tales https://www.instagram.com/fifty_tales/?hl=en“A lunchtime favourite for oodles of noodles (or if you’re there for dinner, don’t miss the mochi!)”Da Bao Restobarhttps://www.instagram.com/dabaomy/?hl=en“The unexpected star? The fish bao!”Donut Planhttps://www.instagram.com/donut_plan/?hl=en“MUST, MUST, MUST order – the brown butter marmite doughnut”Thong Kee Cafe https://thongkee.com.my/ / https://g.co/kgs/d4JmeFb “You’ve got to have the White Coffee and Butter-Kaya Croissants at Thong Kee! And if you have the space, try their Spicy Chicken Muffins!”Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee https://www.chillipanmee.com/ / https://g.co/kgs/pm3jGMT “Known for one thing, as the name implies, chilli pan mee is a a must-have when in KL. And if you’re worried about the spice, skip the chilli! The flavour from the noodles and minced pork itself is enough justification to stop by. Add on the fried pork if you’re in a group!”Village Park https://www.instagram.com/villageparkofficial/?hl=en / https://g.co/kgs/JkGUvom “Nasi Lemak is a national treasure and there are few as consistent and as well known in the business as Village Park.”Bala’s Banana Leaf https://www.instagram.com/balasbananaleaf/?hl=en / https://g.co/kgs/C7YjvTM “Banana leaf is a core part of KL’s food culture. Served on a banana leaf, enjoy an explosion of flavours and spices as you mix and match curries, meats, and vegetables. Don’t forget to try the fried chicken and mutton varuval!”Kopenhagen Coffeehttps://www.kopenhagencoffee.com/ / https://g.co/kgs/qSwHLcN Pulp by PPP Coffee, Bangsarhttps://pppcoffee.com/pages/pulp-by-pppcoffee / https://g.co/kgs/WYHkhGT Merchant’s Lanehttps://www.instagram.com/merchantslane/?hl=en / https://g.co/kgs/izutk3A “Looking for a nice coffee spot to get your latte on? Kopenhagen Coffee, PPP, and Merchant’s Lane have you covered. They all have their own unique vibe, but the common denominator is that their coffee is great.”103 coffee https://www.103coffee.com/cafe“Love, love, love the unique coffee here. Am slowly working my way through the menu!”Licky Chan https://www.lickychan.com/“From boozy ice cream and cakes, to lactose-free, vegan creations. I highly recommend the Pickle Lick flavour”Heritage Pizza https://www.instagram.com/heritagepizza_kl/?hl=en“Am here often for this very, very authentically Italian pizzeria. My standard order is the Parma with Buffalo Burrata.”Crema https://www.crema.my/“Italian pasticceria with incredible pastries. The Torta Al Pistacchio is a family favourite that’s delivered to my doorstep every time there’s a special occasion. BROWSE… FROLICK… MARVEL GMBB (Pudu) https://gmbb.com.my/“A quirky art-filled space, with plenty of events ongoing, and a great way to get a feel for Malaysia’s art scene.”REXKL (Petaling Street) https://www.rexkl.com/“A former cinema, now housing eateries, a very cool bookstore, and shops highlighting Malaysian-made goods. Stop by and cool off from the city heat with coffee, kombucha and ice cream!”Eslite (Starhill Gallery) https://www.eslite.com.my/“The first Southeast Asian flagship store of an iconic Taiwanese bookstore – a great place to pick up some books and stationery, and to people watch!”Sin Sze Si Ya Temple Pioneers of Kuala Lumpur Museum https://www.holidify.com/places/kuala-lumpur/sin-sze-si-ya-temple-sightseeing-1259696.html“For my fellow history nerds who want to know more about the history of Kuala Lumpur”Islamic Arts Museum https://iamm.org.my/“Love, love LOVE the ceramics section here. I spend hours POTTERING around!”Temu Househttps://www.temu.my/ / https://www.instagram.com/temuhouse/ “A small, private gallery in a refurbished double-storey bungalow: the exhibitions change every so often but they also host art workshops in their event space so do check out their social media to see what’s on”Ilham Galleryhttp://www.ilhamgallery.com/“A lovely little public art gallery in the heart of KL, with a rotation of exhibitions happening”The Zhongshan Buildinghttps://www.instagram.com/thezhongshanbuilding/?hl=en“An art and research hub, with creative workshops galore.”Taman Tugu Malaysiahttps://tamantugu.my/visitor-information/“My weekend escape. Taman Tugu is a 66-acre public park and conservation site with hiking trails for all levels of fitness.” […]

Taliban intelligence agency has detained Mohammad Ibrahim Mohtaj, a broadcast manager and presenter with the independent Millat Zhag radio station in the southern city of Kandahar.Millat Zhag broadcasts news and cultural programming for Kandahar city and surrounding districts.Mohtaj is known for hosting social and historical programmes and has conducted several interviews with local Taliban officials.

A local reporter in Kandahar, who spoke to Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) under conditions of anonymity due to fear of reprisal from Taliban officials, reported that Mohtaj was arrested by employees of the Kandahar Provincial Virtue and Vice Department around 4 PM on Saturday, July 27, after he left his office for home. The journalist was unable to clarify the reasons behind Mohtaj’s arrest.This marks at least the third arrest of a local journalist in Kandahar this month, including freelance journalist Mohammadyar Majrooh, who was arrested by the provincial department of the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) on July 12 and remains in custody.According to local sources, nearly all journalists and media workers in Kandahar, including those active on social media, are under severe pressure and threat from the Taliban and cannot broadcast or publish anything without its permission.“Taliban officials must immediately release Mohammad Ibrahim Mohtaj and stop arbitrary detentions of journalists and media workers,” said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi. “Afghanistan’s notorious morality police must not exacerbate a media crackdown that has been a hallmark of Taliban rule or heighten fears among Afghan journalists.”AFJC expressed deep concern about the arrest of Mohtaj and has called on the Taliban authorities in Kandahar province to release him unconditionally as soon as possible. […]

American Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been released as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia after more than nine months in prison.Kurmasheva, 47, is a journalist with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service who was detained in Kazan, Russia, on October 18, 2023. Alsu holds U.S. and Russian citizenship and lives in Prague, Czech Republic.She travelled to Russia on May 20 for a family emergency. She was temporarily detained on June 2 and arrested again on October 18.

Following a rapid and secret trial, she was convicted of “spreading false information” about Russia’s military on July 19, 2024, and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.RFE/RL President & CEO Stephen Capus said: “Alsu was targeted because she was an American journalist who was simply trying to take care of a family member inside Russia. She did nothing wrong and certainly did not deserve the unjust treatment and forced separation from her loving family members and colleagues.  Alsu’s release makes us even more determined to secure the freedom of three other RFE/RL journalists, cruelly imprisoned in Belarus and Russian-occupied Crimea. Journalism is not a crime.”Following a rapid and secret trial, Kurmasheva was convicted of “spreading false information” about Russia’s military on July 19, 2024, and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.Photo:RFE/RL […]

India’s Radio City network and UK-based music tech company Beatchain have joined hands to create Muzartdisco, a tech platform and app that will offer “a first-of-its-kind opportunity to independent Indian artists in any genre to release and promote their music.”Muzartdisco, launched this week at the All About Music conference in Mumbai, is Beatchain’s A&R tool and artist services platform powered by white-label technology which lets artists distribute and retain full rights for their work, while helping record labels connect with independent acts.White-label technology powers digital ‘arenas’ that can be owned and customized by music companies and labels, catering to artists across genres and territories.

Radio City India is the country’s leading radio network, with a weekly listenership of over 69 million people across 39 cities.Muzartdisco will be open to Indian artists worldwide and will offer opportunities including a nationwide radio campaign, social media support across Radio City India’s networks, an artist of the month website feature and a nomination for a Radio City Freedom Award. It will also provide unique studio sessions, mentoring, collaborations, and photoshoots.A&R teams will have access to a “tailored filtering process” on the app.Ben Mendoza, Beatchain CEO, said: “Technology has revolutionised the music industry, democratising and globalising access to music for consumers and creating incredible opportunities for artists. But the sheer volume of music now available is making music discovery and cut-through more difficult. Our platform enables A&R teams and labels to identify real talent – those already demonstrating the qualities needed for a thriving music career – and can connect artists directly with industry tastemakers.“Our new partnership with Radio City India, one of the country’s most prestigious media brands, marks our biggest deal yet. By combining our technology with their extensive reach and passion for Indian independent music, together we can offer Indian artists unparalleled opportunities to launch and sustain a career in music.” Ashit Kukian, CEO of Radio City India, said: “We are on a mission to captivate and connect with audiences worldwide and this partnership will be yet another stepping stone in that direction. Muzartdisco, India’s first one-stop platform for independent artists, will provide 360-degree opportunities to sustain artistic careers as well as avenues to release, promote and track their growth. Radio City has the right mix of communication and marketing tools to enhance the presence of artists on Muzartdisco. This can be leveraged though cross pollination with Radio City’s other internal intellectual properties like SMINCO, Happydemic, JioTV+ amongst others. This strategic alliance will ensure that, by using the latest technologies, we establish a strong foundation for a centre stage where all Indian artists can showcase their talents, get noticed and capture hearts globally.” […]

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a Consultation Paper (CP) on “Reserve Prices for auction of FM Radio channels”. According to a press release, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) sought TRAI’s recommendations on reserve price for auction of FM Radio channels in 18 cities and towns in the states of Himanchal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the expansion of private FM radio.MIB has decided to introduce a new category ‘E’ for these cities. MIB has proposed that all the technical parameters applicable for category ‘D’ cities, except for Effective Radiated Power (ERP) may apply to category ‘E’ cities.

MIB has proposed the ERP for Category ‘E’ as 750 Watt to 1 Kilo Watt.MIB has also requested TRAI to recommend the reserve price the cities of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), Rourkela (Odisha) and Rudrapur (Uttarakhand).Accordingly, this Consultation Paper has been prepared to seek the comments/views of the stakeholders on the determination of reserve prices for auction of FM Radio channels, under FM Phase-Ill Policy. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 29th August 2024. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 12th September 2024. […]