Afghanistan is suffering as 13 February is United Nations World Radio Day, as 86 radio stations have ceased operations in the past six months since the Taliban took control of the country.

According to Tolo News, the media watchdog reported that financial and political issues were the main reasons for the collapse of the Afghan media.

The recent political changes following the fall of the Afghan Republican government have severely affected the broadcasting sector of the Afghan media.

Jahan Radio is one of dozens of stations that have ceased operations since last August, Tolo News reported.

“Radio Jahan has stopped broadcasting for more than six months due to severe economic challenges,” said Mosawar Rasikh, head of Radio Jahan.

“About 70% of the radio stations in the country have been shut down. The reason is the economic challenges and the broadcasts – in the current situation. On the other hand, the government insists on collecting taxes from the radio stations,” said Shafiullah Azizi, head of Zamzama Radio.

According to Tolo News, more than 300 different types of media outlets have been shut down since the Taliban came to power in August.

“Our findings suggest that if the international community does not provide financial support to the media, many of these radio stations will shut down in the next six months – a sign that the country’s media is collapsing,” said Hojatullah Mujadidi, an independent Afghan journalist Association President.

According to Tolo News, despite the technological advancements in media tools in various ways, radio is still one of the main sources of information for people in some countries.

“We have a lot of memories of the radio. There was a time when restrictions were imposed on listening to the radio. When we listened to the radio, we would send someone to watch; we were listening to it in secret,” said Mangel, a resident of Wardak.

“That was a long time ago. I was a toddler. We were taken with a radio in our village. When I listened to the radio, I thought there was someone in the radio,” Wardak resident Abdulsa Lim said.

Afghan Radio started in 1926 in the era of Amanullah Khan, the former king of Afghanistan. The first radio station was named Kabul Radio and broadcast in Kabul.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times