The intensification of restrictions on media in Kandahar; complete ban on women’s voices and the obligation to use the title “His Excellency, Amir al-Mu’minin” for the Taliban leader

The Afghan Journalists Center has reported that the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture in Kandahar has issued a new directive, completely banning the broadcast of women’s voices on radio and requiring media outlets to use the title “His Excellency, Amir al-Mu’minin, may Allah protect him” when referring to the Taliban leader.

According to the report, this new directive was issued yesterday (Monday, March 17) in the form of a four-article guideline for radio stations operating in Kandahar.

The first article of the directive, which was reviewed by the AFJC, emphasizes that media outlets must use the title “His Excellency, Amir al-Mu’minin, may Allah protect him” for the Taliban leader and the phrase “Islamic Emirate” to refer to the government in all of their programs and reports.

The AFJC writes that this is the first time that the obligation to use the title “His Excellency, Amir al-Mu’minin” for the Taliban leader has been officially and in writing communicated to the media.

According to the second clause, broadcasting any female voices on radio, even in the form of entertainment or advertising messages, is completely prohibited. Previously, media in Kandahar were allowed to air programs produced in Kabul that included female voices. Kandahar, after Helmand, is the second province to impose such a ban on women’s voices.

The third clause prohibits the promotion of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, clinics, and hospitals without official permission from the Ministry of Public Health. The fourth article mandates that journalists and media personnel must obtain official permission from the Ministry of Information and Culture of the province in order to report from different areas of Kandahar.

The AFJC has condemned these restrictions, calling them another step in suppressing freedom of expression and increasing pressure on local media.

The center has warned that such actions seriously threaten the survival of local media, which had already been facing severe economic challenges.

Previously, media in Taliban-controlled areas were required to use the term “Islamic Emirate” for the government, but the obligation to use the title “Amir al-Mu’minin” for the Taliban leader is unprecedented.

The Taliban has banned television activities in Kandahar. The provincial branch of the National Television in Kandahar has been converted into a radio station since the month of Asad, following a ban on live broadcasts. Additionally, according to the AFJC, 11 private radio stations are active in this province.