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Afghanistan, Taliban close down Radio Begum: two employees arrested

The station focuses on education and empowerment for Afghan women. Broadcasts suspended

The Taliban interrupted the broadcasts of Radio Begum, an Afghan radio station dedicated to education and women’s empowerment, by raiding its premises in Kabul. In the operation, conducted by the General Intelligence Directorate with the support of the Ministry of Information and Culture, two people were arrested.

The Taliban authorities justified the closure with alleged violations of broadcasting regulations, accusing the broadcaster of broadcasting content from foreign television networks. Pending verification of the documents, the radio station’s activity will remain suspended and, in case of further irregularities, harsher measures may be taken.

Radio Begum, which was founded on 8 March 2021 by journalist Hamida Aman, used to broadcast across the country, offering educational programmes mainly aimed at girls, who were excluded from the school system after the Taliban seized power in August 2021. By March 2024, the station had expanded its activities with the launch of Begum TV, a Paris-based satellite channel financed in part by the Malala Fund.

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