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Afghan Women’s Radio Station Resumes Broadcasts After Suspension Lifted by Taliban

An Afghan radio station, which is entirely run by women, will recommence its broadcasts following the Taliban’s decision to lift a previous suspension. This suspension had been enacted over accusations that the station was collaborating with a foreign television network.

Radio Begum was inaugurated on International Women’s Day in March 2021, just before the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan during the turbulent withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. The station’s allied satellite channel, Begum TV, operates from France, providing educational content relevant to the Afghan school curriculum for grades seven to twelve. This content becomes particularly significant given the Taliban’s prohibition of formal education for women and girls beyond sixth grade.

Suspension Details and Resumption of Service

In a recent statement, the Taliban’s Information and Culture Ministry revealed that Radio Begum had made repeated requests to be allowed to return to airwaves. The suspension was lifted following the station’s commitments to adhere to what the ministry framed as the principles of journalism and the regulations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, although specific details of these guidelines were not disclosed.

The ministry noted that Radio Begum agreed to follow these regulations and to ensure compliance in its future broadcasts. The station confirmed the restoration of its broadcasting rights but did not elaborate further on the terms discussed with Taliban officials.

The Taliban had enforced the suspension on February 4, when they conducted a raid on the Kabul-based station, confiscating various equipment, including computers and phones, and detaining two male staff members who were not in senior roles.

Challenges for Women Journalists

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, women have faced severe restrictions in education, professional opportunities, and access to public spaces. This environment has greatly affected female journalists, many of whom have lost their positions as the Taliban have tightened their grip on the media landscape.

Recent evaluations of press freedom indicate a troubling trend; in the 2024 press freedom index, Afghanistan was ranked 178 out of 180 countries, worsening from its previous position of 152. This decline highlights the increasingly precarious situation for media professionals, particularly women, in the country.

The ministry did not specify the identity of the foreign media outlet that Radio Begum was allegedly working with, but it did reference accusations of collaboration with “foreign-sanctioned media outlets.”

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