Taliban Suspends Activities of 17 Local Media Outlets in Nangarhar

The Afghanistan Journalists Center announced that the Taliban's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology suspended the licenses of these media outlets due to non-payment of "frequency taxes."

On Monday (5 August), the center issued a statement saying that the Taliban's Ministry of Communications warned these media outlets that they would not be allowed to operate until their overdue taxes were paid.

The statement mentioned that the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA), under the management of the Taliban's Ministry of Communications, notified the owners of these media outlets about the suspension decision both verbally and in writing.

The department emphasized that due to the local media owners' refusal to pay the "frequency taxes" and "non-renewal of frequency licenses," these media outlets are not allowed to operate based on Article 37 of the Telecommunications Services Law.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center cited sources in Nangarhar, stating that local media in the province must annually pay 108,000 Afghanis for the renewal of frequency licenses and an additional 25 dollars as incidental costs. The center stressed that all local media are indebted in this regard, with their debts ranging from one year to over ten years.

The statement also mentioned that currently, radio and television stations must obtain separate licenses from the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and even municipalities to operate. They must pay separately for each of these licenses.

Local media officials in Nangarhar told the Afghanistan Journalists Center that their economic difficulties have doubled since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, and commercial advertisements, their main source of income, have decreased unprecedentedly.

They stated that they lack the financial means to cover operational costs and multiple taxes imposed by the Taliban.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center expressed concern over this action and urged the Taliban's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to forgive the debts of the media outlets considering their economic hardships and to adjust the annual frequency license tax in light of the current situation.

Since taking over Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on media activities and journalists in the country.