Taliban silence Voice of America broadcasts in Afghanistan

The Voice of America said on Wednesday that the Taliban have banned FM radio broadcasts from VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Afghanistan, starting on Thursday.

VOA said Taliban authorities cited "complaints they have received about programming content” without providing specifics.

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VOA and RFE are funded by the US government, though they claim editorial independence.

The Taliban overran Afghanistan in August 2021 as American and NATO forces were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

The Voice of America logo.

Despite initially promising a more moderate rule, they have restricted rights and freedoms and widely implemented their harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia.

The advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said recently that Afghanistan has lost 40% of its media outlets and 60% of its journalists since the Taliban takeover.

Associated Press