Bangladesh Journalist Gang-Rape Case: Two Arrested in Pallabi
March 19, 2025
Turkey’s Crackdown on Journalists: Şahin Alpay’s Case and Broader Implications
March 19, 2025
March 19, 2025 – Afghanistan –
In a significant escalation of its media restrictions, the Taliban has imposed a complete ban on the broadcast of women’s voices by radio stations in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. This directive, issued on March 17, 2025, by the Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture, prohibits the airing of women’s voices in any form, including entertainment programs and advertisements. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported that this move represents a tightening of the regime’s grip on press freedoms in the region.
The new regulations also mandate that media outlets refer to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada as “His Excellency, Amir al-Mu’minin, may God protect him,” and use the term “Islamic Emirate” when mentioning the regime. Additionally, advertisements for medicines, cosmetics, and healthcare services are now banned unless pre-approved by health authorities. Journalists must also obtain formal permission before traveling to districts within Kandahar for reporting.
This directive follows a broader pattern of media suppression under the Taliban’s rule, which has seen the closure of several media outlets and the arrest of journalists. The silencing of women’s voices in the media is part of a wider campaign to erase women from public life, including bans on education, employment, and freedom of movement. Human rights organizations have condemned these actions as violations of fundamental rights and freedoms.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging the Taliban to uphold the rights of women and journalists and to respect international standards of press freedom.
Reference –
Taliban Orders Total Ban on Women’s Voices in Kandahar’s Media Amid Escalating Crackdown
