On World Radio Day, a new private station called Radio Adei launched in Kabul. It broadcasts 19 hours daily on FM in Kabul and provides round-the-clock programming via satellite and online platforms.
Fazal Lewal, Vice President of Radio Adei, says that its launch is not just the addition of a new radio station, but the emergence of a trustworthy and understanding voice reflecting the needs of the society. Lewal said that Yada media is created to fulfill the needs of education, speech and public awareness.
“We believe that the media should protect people’s trust, provide truthful and up to date information and strengthen a culture of common sense and moderation. Radio Adei will broadcast on the basis of this principle,” he said.
It will feature different programs in the fields of speech, analytical, educational, religious, cultural and public knowledge and will pay special attention to topics related to women, children and youth.
The launch of the station comes in the backdrop of increasing media restrictions with several journalist organizations marking the day by expressing grave concerns over mounting controls on press freedom.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has issued a call for the immediate lifting of restrictions and increased support for the freedom of radio broadcasting across Afghanistan.
AFJC’s recent findings reveal that, over the past four years, authorities have issued at least 24 directives restricting media operations. These restrictions include bans on women’s participation in state media outlets such as the National Radio, segregation of work environments by gender, bans on female interviews with male colleagues and vice versa, dress code requirements, and limitations on women’s presence at press conferences and in the field.
Journalists and station managers who defy these directives face threats, detention, or imprisonment. Some stations have been shut down or penalized for non-compliance. In the past year, two women-focused local radio stations received direct threats that jeopardized their operations, and two others were closed after content was deemed unacceptable by local authorities—leading to staff detention. One radio director was imprisoned for three months for reporting on social and economic issues.
Khabib Ghufran, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture, said that 228 radio stations were currently operating across Afghanistan. He added that the Taliban had issued licences to 40 stations over the past four years.
The Ministry also said that all media should perform effective, useful and comprehensive activities taking into account the Islamic and cultural values of the Afghan people and the ministry’s broadcasting policy.