BEGUM issuer denounces 2 arrests and the transmission stop
The Taliban broke into the headquarters of an Afghan radio dedicated to the empowerment and education of women, Radio Begum, arresting two people and interrupting the broadcasts. “Officials of the General Directorate of H intelligence assisted by representatives of the Ministry of Information and Culture have raided today in the Begum complex in Kabul”, reported the issuer, asking for the rapid release of his staff.
According to the Taliban, the station was closed for “violation of the transmission rules” and transmission of content of foreign television networks. The Ministry accused Radio Begum of abusing his license and said that his broadcasts will remain suspended pending further investigations.
“If the review of the documents confirms more serious violations, further legal measures against the station will be taken,” reads a note from the Taliban reported by the Afghan media.
Radio Begum, a radio station dedicated to empowerment to women’s education, was founded on March 8, 2021 by the entrepreneur and journalist Hamida Aman. Operating under the Begum Organization for Women (Bow), founded in December 2020, the station broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Kabul, reaching about three quarters of Afghanistan.
Its programming includes educational courses for middle and high school students, in particular aimed at girls who have been prevented access to formal education from the return to power of the Taliban in August 2021. In March 2024, the organization has His educational initiatives expanded by launching Begum TV, a satellite channel based in Paris in part in part by Malala Fund.
