Taliban Suspends BBC FM Radio Across Afghanistan

The Taliban suspended the BBC's FM radio broadcasts across Afghanistan. The BBC confirmed on Facebook on Tuesday, October 13, that its FM broadcasts had stopped. Khubib Ghufran, spokesperson for the Taliban government's information and culture ministry, told Reuters: "BBC's activities have been suspended for the time being due to repeated violations committed by it." He gave no details. The programmes had been in Dari, Pashto and English. A BBC spokesperson said millions of people rely on the BBC for accurate news and information and that it is working with the authorities to address the situation. Sources said the Taliban ordered the end of broadcasts four days before the announcement. Some sources told Afghanistan International that a BBC documentary interview with former Taliban governor Abdullah Sarhadi, in which he acknowledged responsibility for destroying the Buddha statues, was among reasons for dissatisfaction. The BBC said it is in talks with Taliban authorities to resume broadcasts. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Reporters Without Borders said freedom of expression in Afghanistan has fallen to its lowest level amid censorship and forced exile of journalists.