Dozens of radio stations off air since return of Taliban in Afghanistan

Since Taliban returned to power in 2021, 117 Afghan radio stations have closed due to economic hardships, displacing 1,900 people including 1075 women from their jobs, according to a report released by Afghan Independent Journalist Union (AIJU).

The reported said that 345 radio channels operated in Afghanistan, employing nearly 5,000 people including over 1,200 women before the Taliban seized power in Kabul in August 2021.

The economic crisis in the country due to international sanctions and the blockade of funds has multiplied the media challenges in the largely aid-dependent country.

Increasing censorship and alleged abuses of journalists by the regime has led to the deterioration of press freedom.

In November last year, the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said more than 200 journalists have suffered abuses like arbitrary arrests and threats in Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power.