The Taliban-run Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology has suspended the frequency licenses of 17 local media organizations in Nangarhar province over unpaid taxes, according to Afghanistan Journalists Canter.
The Afghanistan Journalist Center (AFJC) issued a statement on Monday noting that the Taliban-run ministry had informed the heads of these media organizations about the suspension of their licenses for frequency activities. According to the letter, without license renewal, based on the 37th principle of the Taliban-run ministry, the media organizations will not be permitted to operate.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, prominent media organizations in Nangarhar, including Enikas TV channel, Nargis Radio, and Eslah Radio, have been suspended.
Meanwhile, a source in Nangarhar told Amu that the Taliban has only requested the renewal of licenses from the heads of TV channels and radio stations, emphasizing that these media organizations are still operating.
Currently, three private TV channels and 14 radio stations remain active in Nangarhar. According to the AFJC’s statement, media organizations in Nangarhar are required to pay 108,000 Afghanis (over $1,500) annually. Some of these organizations have accumulated debts ranging from one to ten years.
In May, Reporters Sans Frontières reported that Afghanistan’s media landscape has been stifled by repressive Taliban directives, particularly those targeting women.
