Taliban authorities have shut down three local radio stations in southern Afghanistan, intensifying an ongoing crackdown on independent media. The stations, based in Kandahar province, were accused of operating without proper licences and failing to meet broadcasting standards. Rights groups say the closures reflect growing censorship since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
The closed stations included Tahsin al-Quran, Sanga, and Zama Ziwer, all operating in Kandahar, the Taliban’s traditional stronghold. In a statement, the Taliban’s Department of Information and Culture claimed the broadcasters failed to pay taxes and violated regulatory requirements. Authorities also warned other media outlets to align programming with “Islamic principles and ethics.”
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Media advocacy groups strongly criticised the move, arguing the stated reasons were being used to silence public opinion. Afghanistan Media Support Organization head Hamed Obaidi said pressure on local radio stations had sharply increased. He added that restrictions on broadcasters were part of broader efforts to suppress independent journalism.
The closures follow similar action against Radio Bamyan last week, reportedly over licensing issues. However, sources at the station claimed Taliban officials themselves had blocked the licence renewal process. According to Reporters Without Borders, Afghanistan now ranks 175th in the World Press Freedom Index, with only a handful of countries performing worse.
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Since August 2021, dozens of Afghan media outlets have shut down while journalists face arrests, censorship, and restrictions on reporting. Advocacy groups say women journalists have been disproportionately targeted under Taliban regulations. Authorities have also banned entertainment programming and imposed sweeping controls over news coverage across the country.