The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reports that freedom of expression and working conditions for media and journalists continue to face restrictions, with 10 media outlets shutting down and four journalists being arrested over the past three months.
In a report published the organization stated that from April 1 to the end of June, four journalists were arrested by government intelligence. Three media outlets were shut down by the government, and seven were forced to cease operations due to an inability to secure financial resources for their licenses. One media outlet was able to resume operations after changing its leadership.
The UNAMA report noted that on April 11 in Khost city, the Department of Information and Culture and the Department of Education halted the educational programs of Radio “Long,” stating that these programs did not comply with the educational curriculum.
The United Nations emphasized that on May 17 in Bamiyan city, the General Directorate of Intelligence issued an order to stop the activities of “Radio Bamiyan.” This radio station was accused of operating without a “valid license.” Radio Bamiyan resumed its activities on June 23.
Additionally, it was mentioned that on June 21, the Ministry of Information and Culture allowed “Rahi Farda” television to resume broadcasting after changing its leadership (owner and responsible director). According to the UN report, this network had been suspended on February 28 of this year due to statements made by its owner, Mohammad Muhaqiq.
UNAMA indicates that during this period, at least seven radio stations in Kandahar and Ghazni provinces were unable to continue their operations due to “inability to meet financial commitments” and other “requirements related to obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses.”
The human rights section of UNAMA documented that in May in Kabul city, the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence arrested three journalists in two separate incidents. UNAMA did not clarify the fate of these journalists. However, in May, Javid Niazi, a journalist from the news agency Pegar, and Mansour Niazi and Omran Danesh from Tolo News were arrested. The Tolo News journalists were released on May 26, while Javid Niazi was freed on July 7.
