NANGARHAR, Afghanistan — Several media outlets in Nangarhar province face the risk of shutdown as Taliban has suspended their operations, citing financial and licensing issues, according to the owners of some of the affected stations.
The sources, who spoke to Amu on the condition of anonymity, said that the Taliban-run Ministry of Interior has instructed the Nangarhar police to halt the operations of several local media outlets over tax debts and expired frequency licenses.
Taliban has informed all media officials that licenses issued during the Republic era are no longer valid and must be renewed under the new regime. Additionally, they must settle any outstanding tax debts to continue operating.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a report calling for the immediate lifting of the suspension of broadcasting licenses for 17 media outlets in Nangarhar. “The Taliban continues to exert pressure on media outlets to control their programming and broadcasting operations in Afghanistan,” said Beh Lih Yi, CPJ Asia program coordinator. “They must cease these tactics and allow the independent media to operate freely.”
Amu reached out to the Taliban for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
Media organization heads told Amu that economic difficulties and reduced revenues have prevented them from paying taxes on time, leading to Taliban warnings about suspending their operations.
The sources also stated that local media officials have repeatedly approached Taliban authorities to negotiate tax debt reductions and license renewals but have not received satisfactory responses.
The Taliban’s demand for media outlets to renew licenses and pay taxes comes amidst broader reductions in tax exemptions for other private sectors, such as wedding halls and restaurants. This stricter approach toward the media has raised questions about the Taliban’s intentions.
“The situation for the media and journalists has deteriorated since the Taliban came to power. This is a concern for us and all organizations that support media and journalists,” said Hashmat Wajdani, spokesperson for the Afghanistan Journalists Federation in Exile.
Journalists and media organizations report that the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on the media since their takeover, including mandatory masks for female anchors, program censorship, and journalist arrests. Many media outlets from Kabul to Herat, Sar-e Pol to Nangarhar, and Khost have been forced to close due to these economic and regulatory pressures.
