Afghanistan: Taliban Forces Network to Close After Raiding Journalists’ Training

CFWIJ condemns the decision and the force used and demands immediate reopening

Location: Afghanistan, Tehran
Date: July 31, 2023

Taliban officers forcefully enter offices of the Hamisha Bahar outlet, subjecting women journalist participants to threats and verbal harassment, forcing the newsroom to close. The Coalition For Women In Journalism vehemently condemns the use of force, the demeaning comments, and the decision to shut down the network. We urgently call upon the Taliban authorities to immediately allow the resumption of operations for Hamisha Bahar. 

On July 31, Taliban officers raid the offices of Hamisha Bahar, where a three-month introductory journalism training workshop was taking place. The officers abruptly interrupted the training, attended by 16 journalists, including six women. Women journalists were targeted with verbal harassment, including comparing the training to prostitution.

Hamisha Bahar, an independent radio station founded in 2011 and known for hosting various training programs, was ordered to close down the following day. Officers claimed the station had violated policies established in December 2021 that prohibit higher education for women. 

The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has strongly urged the Taliban to promptly reverse the closure order and uphold the rule of law. Emphasizing the criticality of protecting press freedom, the AFJC called on the Taliban to abstain from any future actions that stifle media outlets.

Although the station has successfully trained over 600 university students, it has faced repeated attacks from the Taliban. In March 2022, Atal Khan Stanekzai, the head of Hamisha Bahar, was arrested by Taliban forces for his work at the station.

Deteriorating media freedom under Taliban rule 

Since the Taliban assumed control in August 2021, the media landscape in Afghanistan has witnessed a rapid decline. Independent outlets have been compelled to shut down, and journalists, particularly women journalists, confront escalating hostility and constraints. Disturbingly, the AFJC documented a significant 64 percent surge in press freedom violations between May 2022 and May 2023, encompassing 213 reported incidents.

The Taliban's seizure of power led many journalists to seek refuge in other countries. Meanwhile, numerous journalists have faced interrogations or arrests by the Afghan police and the Istikhbarat. These detentions can be marked by violence and endure for varying durations, ranging from a few hours to several weeks.

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Taliban authorities conducted a raid on Radio Sadai Banowan, a women-led broadcaster, resulting in the closure of its operations, as documented by CFWIJ. The Taliban official claimed the station was shut down due to the alleged violation of playing music during Ramadan. However, station head Najia Sorosh vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them a conspiracy. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly in solidarity with Hamisha Bahar Radio station and the women journalists who Taliban officers have targeted. We strongly condemn using force and derogatory language directed at journalists simply carrying out their professional responsibilities. We urge the Taliban authorities to permit the network to resume operations and reopen its journalism training workshop. Press freedom is vital for the progress and well-being of Afghanistan. It empowers citizens, promotes accountability, and safeguards human rights. Upholding and protecting press freedom should be a priority for the Afghan government and the international community to ensure a democratic and inclusive society.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.