KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban have suspended broadcasts of Radio Begum, a station known for its programming on women’s issues, citing alleged violations of media regulations, the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture announced on Tuesday.
According to Taliban officials, the station was shut down for “violating broadcasting rules” and airing content from foreign-based television networks. The ministry accused Radio Begum of misusing its broadcast license and said its operations would remain suspended pending further investigation.
“If the review of documents confirms more serious violations, additional legal measures will be taken against the station,” the Taliban’s statement said.
Radio Begum, a radio station dedicated to women’s empowerment and education, was founded on March 8, 2021, by entrepreneur and journalist Hamida Aman. Operating under the Begum Organization for Women (BOW)—established in December 2020—the station broadcasts 24/7 from Kabul, reaching approximately three-quarters of Afghanistan.
Its programming included educational courses for middle and high school students, particularly aimed at girls who have been barred from formal education since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. These lessons were broadcast in Dari in the morning and Pashto in the afternoon, Afghanistan’s two official languages.
In March 2024, BOW expanded its educational initiatives by launching Begum TV, a Paris-based satellite channel funded in part by the Malala Fund. The channel provides video courses covering Afghanistan’s national curriculum for grades 7–12, offering an alternative for girls unable to attend school under the Taliban’s restrictions.
The station’s management has yet to publicly respond to the suspension.
Since returning to power in August 2021, Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on the press, severely limiting independent journalism in Afghanistan. Many media outlets have been shut down, and journalists—particularly women—face censorship, harassment, and arrests.
Rights groups have repeatedly called on the Taliban to respect press freedom, warning that growing media restrictions are further isolating Afghanistan from the global community.
