A well-known women’s radio station called Radio Begum was raided by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, according to the broadcaster. News Agency AFP added that two of the employees were arrested and the broadcaster has asked for speedy release of its staff.
Taliban’s information ministry said that the station was suspended due to “multiple violations”. This is the Taliban’s latest search of local media outlets in Afghanistan.
In a statement on the social media site X, the ministry said, “Besides multiple violations, it was providing materials and programs to a TV station based abroad.”
The broadcaster, who did not comment any further fearing the security of detainees, mentioned that the two male employees who were detained did not hold any senior management positions. It also said that the Taliban authorities seized computers, hard drives, and cell phones.
A statement from the radio station, as provided in a AFP Report said, “Officers from the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) assisted by representatives of the Ministry of Information and Culture raided today Begum’s compound in Kabul.”
“Due to the violation of the broadcasting policy and improper use of the license (from the ministry), the radio station was suspended today so that the related documents can be carefully evaluated and the final decision can be taken,” it added.
Media Response
Radio Begum has denied involvement in any political activity. It further said that it was committed to serving the Afghan women and the Afghani people.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an information freedom portal said on X that the ban must be lifted immediately. RSF has reported that at least 12 media outlets have been shut by the Taliban in 2024.
Background
Radio Begum was founded before the ouster of the US-backed government by the Taliban in Afghanistan, on International Women’s Day in 2021.
The station is mainly run by women, for women. The broadcast programming includes educational shows, book readings and call-in counselling.
Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has imposed severe restrictions on women that squeeze them out of public life and a way of life that the UN has labeled as ‘gender apartheid’
In 2024, Radio Begum’s Swiss-Afghan founder Hamida Aman also launched a satellite television station, Begum TV, broadcasting educational programs from Paris to help Afghan girls and women continue their education.
Thousands of videos covering the Afghan national curriculum have also been uploaded on a sister website, available for free.
In December last year, Taliban authorities shut down Afghan station Arezo TV and detained seven employees.
