1st Local Radio Shut in Afghanistan Since Taliban Control

A local radio in Afghanistan, named MILMA, was shut on Tuesday, ending its ten years of journey in southeastern Paktika province.

The owner and in charge of this private radio station Yaqoob Manzoor said they are no longer going on air due to financial problems and an inappropriate working environment.

Manzoor added that the closure left 35 employees jobless, according to the Khaama Press News Agency.

Ever since the Taliban took over power in Afghanistan on August 15, the media outlets were among the most hit sectors in the country.

TV and radio channels have cost deducted, decreased salaries of the employees, and dramatically decreased their programs especially the lives ones owing to the lack of financial resources.

Last week, the group arrested five journalists of Etilaatroz, a daily newspaper in Kabul, a day after forming the new caretaker government.

“Five journalists from Etilaatroz, a daily newspaper in Kabul, have been arrested by Taliban, Zaki Daryabi, the editor in chief of the newspaper, said today,” tweeted Tolo News.

The Taliban had previously promised international organizations that it will respect the rights of journalists and freedom of expression.

Consequently, a group of UN human rights experts had called on all countries to provide urgent protection to Afghan journalists and media workers who fear for their lives and face persecution in the war-torn country.

“Journalists and media workers, in particular women, are facing heightened risks since the Taliban’s political takeover of Afghanistan,” United Nations Human Rights Special Procedures quoted UN experts as saying.