Taliban grants conditional return to two radio stations amid tightened media control

The Taliban-led government has allowed two Afghan radio stations, Jawanan and Begum, to resume operations under strict conditions, marking a rare concession in its ongoing crackdown on independent media.

The Ministry of Information and Culture announced the decision, stating that both stations had previously violated Taliban policies and collaborated with banned foreign media organizations. “We support media that align with national interests, religious values, and Afghan traditions,” the ministry declared, emphasizing that journalistic activities must conform to the group’s interpretation of Islamic principles.

The stations had been forcibly shut down on February 4 in a joint raid by the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence and the Ministry of Information and Culture. Jawanan Radio, which primarily serves male audiences, and Radio Begum, known for its focus on women’s issues, were both targeted. During the operation, Taliban authorities detained two employees—a sports journalist from Jawanan and an editor from Radio Begum. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

Radio Begum, launched on March 8, 2021, has persisted in its mission despite mounting restrictions. In response to Taliban censorship, the station’s parent organization, the Begum Organization for Women, has expanded its outreach. “We refuse to be silenced,” a representative of the organization stated, highlighting the launch of Begum TV in March 2024 and an online educational platform in 2023 aimed at providing learning opportunities for Afghan girls barred from attending school.

The reinstatement of the two stations comes amid intensifying restrictions on Afghanistan’s media landscape. Journalists and press freedom advocates warn that the Taliban’s conditional approval serves as a calculated move to exert greater control rather than a sign of media tolerance.