Summary:
- Radio Begum, Afghanistan’s women-led radio station, will resume operations after the Taliban lifted a suspension imposed over alleged collaboration with foreign media and license misuse.
- The station, launched in 2021, produces content exclusively by Afghan women and supports education through its France-based sister channel, Begum TV, which broadcasts banned secondary-school curricula.
- The Taliban’s Information Ministry cited Radio Begum’s commitment to “regulations of the Islamic Emirate” as grounds for reinstatement but did not clarify specific violations or media principles.
- Afghanistan’s press freedom rank plummeted to 178th globally in 2024 under Taliban rule, with over 80% of women journalists losing jobs since the group’s 2021 takeover.
Radio Begum, Afghanistan’s women-led radio station, will resume operations after the Taliban lifted a suspension imposed over allegations of sharing content with an overseas TV channel and misusing its license. The decision, announced Saturday night by the Taliban’s Information and Culture Ministry, follows commitments from the station to adhere to the group’s media regulations.
Launched on International Women’s Day in March 2021, Radio Begum produces content exclusively by Afghan women and became a vital platform after the Taliban’s August 2021 takeover, which triggered widespread restrictions on women’s education, employment, and public participation. The station’s suspension in late 2024 stemmed from accusations of providing material to Begum TV, a France-based sister channel broadcasting Afghan school curricula for grades 7–12—subjects banned for Afghan girls under Taliban rule.
“The suspension was lifted after Radio Begum pledged to conduct broadcasts in accordance with the principles of journalism and the regulations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” the ministry stated, without clarifying specific violations or regulatory standards. The statement also referenced collaboration with “foreign sanctioned media outlets,” though no further details were provided. Representatives for Radio Begum declined immediate comment.
Since reclaiming power, the Taliban have systematically dismantled women’s rights, banning girls from secondary education and excluding women from most professions. Media freedoms have sharply declined, with Afghanistan ranking 178th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ 2024 press freedom index—a steep drop from 152nd the previous year. Over 80% of Afghan women journalists have lost jobs since 2021, according to local advocacy groups.
Begum TV, operating from France, remains a critical educational lifeline, offering remote learning programs aligned with Afghanistan’s pre-Taliban curriculum. The Taliban’s latest move to reinstate Radio Begum signals limited tolerance for independent media, provided outlets comply with restrictive policies. Observers warn the decision may not reflect broader improvements in press freedom or women’s rights, as dissent and foreign affiliations remain punishable offenses.
