86 Radio stations shut down in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover

As February 13 marked the UN’s World Radio Day, Afghanistan is anguished as 86 radio stations have halted operations over the past six months since the Taliban took control of the nation.

Media watchdog organizations reported that financial and political issues are the main reasons for the collapse of the Afghan media, reported Tolo News.

The recent political change in Afghanistan following the fall of the republican government has severely affected the Afghan media’s radio sector.

Radio Jahan is one of the dozens of radios that has halted operations since last August, reported Tolo News.

“Radio Jahan has halted broadcasting for more than six months due to severe economic challenges,” said Mosawar Rasikh, head of Radio Jahan.

“Around 70 per cent of radio stations are closed in the country. The reasons are economic challenges and broadcasting programs–in the current situation. On the other hand, the government insists on collecting taxes from radio stations,” said Shafiullah Azizi, head of the Zamzama radio stations.

Based on the statistics, over 300 different kinds of media organizations have been closed since the Taliban swept into power in August, reported Tolo News. ANI