- Arezo TV reopens in Kabul after being shut down by the Taliban in December 2024.
- The station was accused of violating Islamic values and having ties to exiled media.
- Seven employees were arrested but later released before the station resumed operations.
- The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) condemned the shutdown as a violation of press freedom.
- Media rights groups report worsening conditions for journalists under Taliban rule.
Arezo TV, a private Afghan television station, is back on air in Kabul after the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV) shut it down in December 2024. The station’s head, Bassir Abid, confirmed that ministry officials removed the seals on the office doors, allowing broadcasts to continue. This marks a significant moment for the channel after weeks of inactivity.
The Taliban initially closed the station on December 4, accusing it of violating Islamic values and having ties to exiled media groups. Authorities also arrested seven employees, but they were released later that month. Despite their release, the station remained shut down until officials finally allowed its reopening.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) welcomed the station’s return but strongly criticized its closure. In a statement, the AFJC called it “a flagrant violation of free media rights that should not have happened.” The organization also revealed that a Taliban court found the station’s employees innocent. Other groups, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have expressed growing concerns over Afghanistan’s tightening media restrictions.
Press Freedom Declines Under Taliban Rule
Since the Taliban took power in August 2021, Afghanistan’s media sector has struggled to survive. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) revealed that, in just 2024, the Taliban shut down at least 12 media outlets. Among them, the closure of Arezo TV stood out as part of a broader crackdown on press freedom.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has raised serious concerns. It reported that journalists now face increasing restrictions, arbitrary detentions, and a growing climate of fear. As a result, many choose self-censorship to stay safe. With each passing day, independent reporting becomes even more difficult.
At the same time, Human Rights Watch has documented several cases of media suppression. It stated that the Taliban imposes strict controls on independent journalism, leaving little room for press freedom. Any report that contradicts their narratives gets censored immediately. Because of this, journalists struggle to share unbiased news.
Despite all this, the reopening of Arezo TV brings a small glimmer of hope. Still, media freedom in Afghanistan remains under serious threat. International organizations continue to monitor the situation closely. They keep urging the Taliban to respect press freedoms and allow journalists to work without fear.