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تصویر بندانگشتی

Two Afghan Radio Stations Stop Operating for Financial Reasons

Severe economic challenges forced another two well-known radio stations to bring their operations to a halt. Both of them were active for at least 10 years. 

Radio Paktia Ghag broadcast for 11 years in the southeastern province of Paktia, and Radio Maimana also broadcast for 10 years in the northern province of Faryab. 

“We used to have around 40 employees, men and women. They were working under the Paktia Ghag production,” said Zabiullah Ayoubi, director of Paktia Ghag radio station.  

“We didn’t have the ability to extend our license,” said Adibullah Sonmas, director of Maimana radio station. 

The two radio stations halted operations last Wednesday.  

The journalists called on media watchdogs and media-supporting organizations to help Afghan media outlets.  

“The closing of media outlets creates problems for the people and journalists because when the media is closed, there will be no one to raise the voice of the people,” said Farkhunda Mehbi, a journalist.  

The media-supporting organizations called the closing of radio stations a tragedy, and urged the Islamic Emirate and the international community to provide support for the Afghan media community.  

“We expect the Islamic Emirate to help the Afghan media by easing taxes and eliminating crimes against the Afghan media,” said Hujatullah Mujahdidi, a member of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA).  

The Ministry of Information and Culture said the Islamic Emirate is committed to the media.

“The Islamic Emirate, based on its capacity and by the law, is committed to help the media,” said Abdul Haq Humad, press director of the ministry.  

Based on available figures, dozens of media outlets have stopped activities since the fall of the former government.  

Two Afghan Radio Stations Stop Operating for Financial Reasons

The journalists called on media watchdogs and media-supporting organizations to help Afghan media outlets.  

تصویر بندانگشتی

Severe economic challenges forced another two well-known radio stations to bring their operations to a halt. Both of them were active for at least 10 years. 

Radio Paktia Ghag broadcast for 11 years in the southeastern province of Paktia, and Radio Maimana also broadcast for 10 years in the northern province of Faryab. 

“We used to have around 40 employees, men and women. They were working under the Paktia Ghag production,” said Zabiullah Ayoubi, director of Paktia Ghag radio station.  

“We didn’t have the ability to extend our license,” said Adibullah Sonmas, director of Maimana radio station. 

The two radio stations halted operations last Wednesday.  

The journalists called on media watchdogs and media-supporting organizations to help Afghan media outlets.  

“The closing of media outlets creates problems for the people and journalists because when the media is closed, there will be no one to raise the voice of the people,” said Farkhunda Mehbi, a journalist.  

The media-supporting organizations called the closing of radio stations a tragedy, and urged the Islamic Emirate and the international community to provide support for the Afghan media community.  

“We expect the Islamic Emirate to help the Afghan media by easing taxes and eliminating crimes against the Afghan media,” said Hujatullah Mujahdidi, a member of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA).  

The Ministry of Information and Culture said the Islamic Emirate is committed to the media.

“The Islamic Emirate, based on its capacity and by the law, is committed to help the media,” said Abdul Haq Humad, press director of the ministry.  

Based on available figures, dozens of media outlets have stopped activities since the fall of the former government.  

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