The Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture in Kandahar has issued a new directive banning the broadcast of women’s voices on radio stations and mandating the use of honorific titles when referring to the Taliban’s supreme leader, according to the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC).
The directive, which was reportedly sent in writing to media outlets on Monday, March 17, outlines four new restrictions for local radio stations in Kandahar.
According to the directive, all broadcasts must refer to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada as “His Excellency, Amir al-Mu’minin, May God Protect Him” and use “Islamic Emirate” when mentioning the Taliban administration.
The broadcast of women’s voices is strictly prohibited, including in entertainment programs and commercial advertisements, the directive says.
It also says that advertising medications, cosmetic products, and health clinics is banned without prior approval from the provincial health directorate.
According to the directive, journalists must obtain official permission from the Information and Culture Directorate before traveling within Kandahar province for reporting purposes.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center said that while Taliban authorities have pressured media outlets across the country to use honorific titles for Akhundzada, this is the first time such a demand has been formally issued in written form.
The group also noted that while restrictions on women’s voices had previously existed informally, the absolute ban is new for Kandahar. Until now, local stations could air pre-recorded programs from Kabul that included female voices—a practice that will no longer be permitted.
Kandahar is now the second province, after Helmand, where women’s voices have been officially and completely banned from the airwaves.
According to the AFJC, there are no local television networks currently operating in Kandahar. The provincial branch of National Television, which was shut down last year following a ban on broadcasting images of living beings, has since been converted into a radio station.
The province currently has 11 private radio stations, including Sanga, Zama, Waranga, Tabassum, Zewar, Millat Zhagh, Hewad Zhagh, Sama, Taleem al-Quran, Tahseen al-Quran, and Ehsas Zhagh.
The AFJC condemned the latest restrictions as a blatant escalation in the Taliban’s suppression of independent media, warning that such censorship is severely threatening the survival of local media outlets, many of which are already struggling financially.
The organization also urged the Taliban to consider the psychological impact of silencing free expression, warning that their unprecedented crackdown on press freedoms will have serious consequences for Afghanistan’s society.
