Millions of people across Afghanistan rely on the BBC for accurate news and information, a BBC spokesperson said, adding that the broadcaster was working with the authorities to resolve the issue.
Khubib Ghufran, spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban government’s Ministry of Information and Culture, said the BBC’s activities had been suspended temporarily due to what he described as “repeated violations”. However, he did not provide further details about the alleged violations.
Despite losing its local FM frequencies, the BBC World Service said it would continue delivering Pashto, Dari and English-language programming to audiences in Afghanistan through shortwave and mediumwave radio, satellite television and online platforms.
The suspension of the BBC’s FM radio broadcasts marks a further tightening of media restrictions under the Taliban government, raising concerns about press freedom and access to independent news in the country.
