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May 25, 2026 – Afghanistan –
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has condemned the Taliban’s closure of three local radio stations in Kandahar, describing the move as another escalation in the ongoing crackdown on independent media across Afghanistan.
According to the AFJC, Taliban authorities in Kandahar shut down the stations “Tahsin al-Quran,” “Sanga,” and “Zama Ziwer” during a joint operation involving the provincial Information and Culture Department, intelligence officials, and representatives of the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority. Taliban officials claimed the stations lacked proper licenses, had unpaid taxes, and failed to meet broadcasting standards.
The AFJC rejected several of those accusations, arguing that authorities were using administrative and financial justifications as a pretext to suppress independent media outlets. The organization stated that claims concerning unpaid taxes and alleged broadcasting violations, particularly against Sanga Radio and Zama Ziwer, were either exaggerated or unfounded.
The watchdog also reported that Taliban authorities issued warnings to two additional radio stations in Kandahar, ordering them to complete licensing procedures and strictly follow directives related to Islamic principles and broadcasting rules.
Media advocates said the closures reflect the increasingly restrictive environment faced by journalists and broadcasters since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Kandahar, considered one of the Taliban’s main power centers, has seen some of the country’s strictest media controls, including bans on broadcasting women’s voices, restrictions on visual reporting, and limits on interviews and imagery involving living beings.
According to the AFJC, only a small number of private radio stations continue to operate in Kandahar, with many struggling financially because of declining advertising revenue and mounting government restrictions. The organization warned that the continued closure of local outlets threatens public access to information and weakens independent journalism in Afghanistan.
The incident follows a series of actions targeting Afghan media organizations in recent months, including suspensions of broadcasters and arrests of journalists accused of violating Taliban directives. International press freedom organizations have repeatedly warned that Afghanistan’s media environment has sharply deteriorated under Taliban rule, with many journalists facing censorship, intimidation, detention, and exile.
The AFJC called on Taliban authorities to immediately reverse the shutdown orders and adopt transparent media policies that respect freedom of expression and independent reporting. The group argued that suppressing local media outlets undermines public trust and damages Afghanistan’s already weakened information landscape.
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