Taliban Suspends BBC Radio Broadcasts in Afghanistan
Taliban government cites "repeated violations" for halting BBC transmissions on FM radio sites nationwide.
Afghanistan's Taliban government has suspended the transmission of BBC broadcasts from FM radio sites across the country, citing "repeated violations" without further elaboration. The move impacts a key source of international news for millions of Afghans.
The BBC stated that it is "working with the authorities to address the situation" and continues to report through shortwave and medium wave radio, online, and via satellite in Pashto, Dari, and English. The broadcaster reaches over 20% of Afghanistan's adult population weekly with news and educational programming, including content for girls who are barred from secondary education.
Khubaib Ghufran, a spokesman for the Taliban Ministry of Information and Culture, informed local media that the decision to suspend BBC activity was made due to "some repeated violations by the BBC media outlet."
The Taliban government maintains a strict control over media within Afghanistan. Since retaking power in 2021, the broadcast landscape has changed significantly, with music no longer aired and women appearing less frequently on screen. Women also no longer appear on air alongside men.
The BBC's Afghan service has been in operation since 1981. The latest suspension follows the banning of two U.S. news outlets in 2022, leaving the BBC as the only international news organization with broadcast operations inside the country prior to this suspension.