1TV: An Afghan lawmaker has admitted she praised Taliban attack on a TV station that left seven people dead. Homa Sultani, an MP representing central Ghazni province, wrote on her Facebook profile that she was grateful for the “martyrdom-seeking attack” describing the victims as “filthy” and “bastards”. Click here to read more (external link).
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty January 22, 2016 Afghan authorities say they have arrested eight members of the Haqqani militant network blamed for a deadly suicide attack on a bus carrying employees of the country’s biggest TV station. The National Directorate for Security (NDS), Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, said in a statement on January 22 that those
VOA News Ayaz Gul January 21, 2016 ISLAMABAD—A deadly Taliban suicide bombing against Afghanistan’s leading private media group, Tolo News, sparked strong domestic and international outrage and condemnation as an assault on freedom of speech. The bombing happened in a western part of Kabul Wednesday evening, when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into
VOA News Ayaz Gul January 20, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Afghan officials say a suicide car bomb attack near the Russian Embassy in the capital Kabul has killed at least four people, including three women. Health ministry director Mohammad Ismail Kawasi told VOA at least 28 other people were wounded in the blast Wednesday. No one has claimed
The Guardian (UK): Afghan journalists and analysts face attempts on their lives for criticising militants – and some point the finger at a ‘fifth column’ in the government. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: NAI – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan – on Sunday blasted the governors of Bamiyan and Daikundi provinces for reportedly imposing restrictions on local officials in terms of talking to the media. According to NAI, local officials in the two provinces are banned from speaking to the media unless they have permission from their
VOA News December 24, 2015 Local authorities in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province say that Sadai Khilafat Radio (Voice of Caliphate), which broadcast pro-Islamic State propaganda, has stopped broadcasting in the eastern province. Mimicking IS’s media outreach in Syria and Iraq, the Afghan branch also set up a radio station in Nangarhar, broadcasting at least one hour
Khaama Press: Pakistani news agency citing a senior security official, reports that the radio’s broadcasting messages of violence and extremism are being run from three main areas in eastern Afghanistan, two locations are Nazyan and Acheen districts of Nangarhar province and the third location is in Kunar province. Click here to read more (external link).
VOA News Noor Zahid December 22, 2015 The voice of a journalist who until recently used to work at radio stations in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province can now be heard in the provincial capital, Jalalabad, and neighboring districts as the voice of Islamic State’s new “caliphate radio.” Former colleagues are quick to recognize the voice
PRI: During the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, it was illegal to watch or even own a TV. But since their ouster in 2001, TV has made a comeback. That’s in part because Afghan journalists like Samiullah Mahdi have created all sorts of popular and controversial TV programs. “There are more than 50 television channels in Afghanistan, more