Afghan authorities suspended BBC FM radio broadcasts nationwide on Tuesday (13 October), citing repeated but unspecified violations. The BBC said it was working with officials to restore the service.
The Ministry of Information and Culture confirmed the decision, but its spokesman, Khubaib Ghufran, did not specify which rules the broadcaster had broken or when transmissions might resume.
Ghufran told local media, “Due to some repeated violations by the BBC media outlet, it is decided that for time being its activity is suspended across the country.”
In April 2024, ministry officials urged the BBC to avoid reports and rumours they said could fuel divisions among Afghans and to respect the country’s religious and national values. The ministry has not clarified whether those concerns are linked to the latest suspension.
The BBC said it was in contact with Afghan authorities, highlighting the importance of its broadcasts to millions of listeners.
“Millions of people across Afghanistan rely on the BBC for accurate news and information and we are working with the authorities to address the situation,” a BBC spokesperson said in a statement.
The broadcaster says around 5.4 million people in Afghanistan access its services each week, representing more than one-fifth of the country’s adult population.
Although FM transmissions have been suspended, listeners can still access its Pashto, Dari and English programmes via shortwave and medium-wave radio, satellite and digital platforms.
The BBC launched its Pashto broadcasts for Afghan audiences in 1981.
The suspension follows a series of restrictions on media operations since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, following the collapse of the former Afghan government.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Afghanistan 175th out of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index. According to the organisation, authorities have issued more than 20 national directives affecting journalism since August 2021, as well as several provincial decrees.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported at least 207 violations of journalists’ and media rights between 18 March 2025 and 17 March 2026.
It remains unclear when BBC FM broadcasts will resume.
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