November 3, 2024
Khost, Khost province – Radio "Gharghasht," a prominent local station in Southeastern Khost province, has resumed operations after a three-day closure imposed by Taliban’s virtue and vice authorities for broadcasting music. The station is now permitted to operate solely under the condition that it refrains from any music broadcasting.
A local journalist, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, reported that Gharghasht radio resumed broadcasting at approximately 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 2, after management assured compliance with the local administration's media policies that ban music. The station was initially closed on the evening of October 31 by order of the provincial department of virtue and vice.
Prior to the closure, a meeting on October 26 was held in Khost with representatives from the department of Information and Culture, Virtue and Vice, and the General Directorate of Intelligence. During this meeting, media outlets were explicitly warned that all forms of music broadcasting were strictly prohibited.
Furthermore, the day after Gharghasht Radio's closure, another meeting was convened by the Department of Information and Culture of Khost province. Subhanullah Azam, the director of information of the department, issued a stark warning that media outlets defying the music ban would face severe consequences.
Established in 2017, Gharghasht radio broadcasts for 18 hours a day, reaching audiences in surrounding provinces, including Paktia, and border areas of Pakistan.
AFJC welcomes the station’s reopening but strongly condemns the initial closure as a blatant violation of press freedom principles. Such actions severely restrict the rights of journalists and hinder the public’s access to diverse media content.
However, AFJC reiterates its deep concern over the escalating restrictions on media operations in Khost province. We urge Taliban authorities to adhere to Afghanistan's media law, which they have recognized, ensuring that journalists and media organizations can operate freely and without undue restrictions. It is imperative that authorities support rather than undermine the vital work of the media.