From left to right: Nasim Radio reporters Mojtaba Qasemi and Saifullah Rezaei, along with Radio Manager Sultan Ali Jawadi, were detained by GDI in Nili, the capital of Daikundi province on October 7, 2023.
October 8, 2023,
Nili, Daikundi province- The manager and two reporters of Nasim Radio in Daikundi province have been arrested for the second time by GDI. The radio station was already closed for ten days and has not yet been given permission to reopen. This action by the GDI is in violation of the country's mass media law and restricts free media. AFJC condemns these actions and calls for the immediate release of the journalists and the reopening of Radio Nasim.
According to a reliable source in Daikundi, Sultan Ali Jawadi, the manager, along with reporters Saifullah Rezaei and Mojtaba Qasemi, were arrested by the intelligence around 12:00 yesterday. At the moment, the specific details surrounding the incident remain unknown, but it is distressing to note that this marks the second time these journalists have been apprehended within the past ten days.
Further, on September 28, members of General Directorate of Intelligence from Daikundi province raided the Radio Nasim office in Nili city. This raid involved the confiscation of the employees' working tools, including mobile phones and voice recorders, as well as the sealing of the gate. On the same day, Sultan Ali Jawadi, the manager, along with reporters Saifullah Rezaei and Mojtaba Qasemi. Although the three employees were released after five hours of interrogation, their mobile phones were not returned to them.
The local Taliban authorities in Daikundi province, have not yet provided explanation for the closure of Radio Nasim and the subsequent detainment of its staff. Nonetheless, a local source suggests that this action may be related to the radio station's programming, particularly its dissemination of music and rebroadcasting of content from a foreign radio network.
AFJC views the re-arrest of Nasim Radio employees, while the radio station remains closed, as a troubling escalation of pressure on local media. We strongly urge the local authorities to promptly release the journalists in custody and allow Radio Nasim to resume its operations. As outlined in the Afghan Media Law, media entities should be able to carry out their professional duties without limitations or threats, receiving full support from relevant officials.
It is noteworthy to mention that earlier this year, the Ministry of Information and Culture of the Taliban introduced a plan to address media and journalist-related concerns. According to this plan, no other entity has the authority to interfere in the affairs of the media or the work of journalists. Instead, all media-related matters should be addressed by the Ministry of Information and Culture, notably through the Commission for Handling Media Complaints and Violations.