Taliban officials suspend Radio Khoshal operations in Ghazni

Local Taliban officials in Ghazni province suspended the operations of Radio Khoshal on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Taliban media office in Ghazni stated, citing violations of religious, cultural, and social values.

Afghanistan International reported that the suspension followed phone calls from girls to the station's educational programs, as females above sixth grade have been barred from formal education under Taliban restrictions. The Afghanistan Journalists Center condemned the closure as a blatant violation of free media rights, noting that the radio, launched in Ghazni in 1403 (2024), primarily aired educational content. It added that previous managers of the station had been detained for expressing views on the Taliban and social conditions.

The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) expressed concern over the halt in broadcasts, describing it as a threat to freedom of expression and media activity. AMSO stated that no legal documents, evidence, or reasons have been provided to show the radio violated social or cultural principles. It highlighted that Radio Khoshal holds official contracts for educational programs in several provinces, where operations continue legally, and warned that the suspension deprives thousands of students of their only home-based learning opportunity.

Both organizations called on Taliban authorities to resume the station's activities, with the Journalists Center demanding immediate reopening and AMSO urging resolution through dialogue and understanding. Afghanistan International noted Taliban-imposed restrictions on women's and girls' phone contacts with media, beyond education bans.