Suspension of Noor and Barya TV stations unlawful: Afghanistan Journalists Center

KABUL (Khaama Press): Afghanistan Journalists Center condemned the Taliban’s order to suspend “Noor” and “Barya” TV stations, calling it unlawful and a restriction on free media. They demand the revocation of the Taliban’s order and the swift reopening of both channels.
Private TV stations “Noor” and “Barya” were temporarily suspended on Tuesday, April 16th by Taliban’s media regulatory commission for “failure to observe national and Islamic principles.”
Zabihullah Sadat, head of private television “Tolo News” and a member of the commission, told the Afghanistan Journalists Center that until their case is reviewed in the Taliban court, these two channels will not be allowed to operate. He stated that “Noor” TV’s operations were halted due to broadcasting music and female staff not wearing masks, while “Barya” TV was warned for airing Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s remarks about the Taliban’s relations with the US. Officials of “Noor” and “Barya” TV stations confirmed to the Afghanistan Journalists Center that their operations have been suspended following the Taliban’s order.
The Center stated, “Media should be free to carry out their professional duties, and authorities should not restrict or threaten them.” The center also criticized the legal structure of the Taliban’s media regulatory commission, stating, “Its function is questionable under media law and is primarily used as a tool to implement the Taliban’s media policies.”
The suspension of these two channels, affiliated with leaders of the Jamiat-e-Islami and the Hezb-e-Islami, comes as the Taliban announced last week that political parties have been dissolved and their continued operation is “illegal.”