According to Haroon Najafizada, director of Afghanistan International TV (AITV) in London, Afghans The Taliban by The country I have jammed the broadcast of the television channel.
Afghanistan Internationalheadquartered in London and accessible via satellite, cable and social media.
Harun Najafizada told Independent Urdu: ‘We have been investigating the activities of the TTP (Tehreek Taliban Pakistan) in Afghanistan, their links with the Taliban, the free movement of their leaders and meeting people within the Taliban administration. Continuous reporting on support. AITV made an in-depth and critical review of the security situation.
He further said that another thing that could possibly cause the Taliban to become agitated is the border skirmishes.
‘We distanced ourselves from both sides and reported whatever was happening on the border in Pashto and Farsi. Their narrative was undermined by our continued coverage. We collect up to 100 reports a day on Afghanistan and the region and that is too much information that the Taliban cannot control.’
The website da nationalnews.com claims that the Taliban stopped broadcasting Afghanistan International TV (AITV) last week, depriving the public of a ‘last source’ of uncensored information.
Afghanistan International TV was launched on 15 August 2021 as a twin station of Iran International. Mainly broadcasts only in Dari/Persian, but the channel started broadcasting in Pashto in August 2023.
The television blackout began on September 5, which the channel described as a ‘blatant violation of the freedom of information and a direct attack on the freedom of the press’.
Da National has claimed that the Iranian government has helped the Taliban in blocking the broadcast of Afghanistan International Channel, but Iran has not issued any statement in this regard.
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Independent Urdu contacted the Afghan Taliban for comment on the matter, but did not receive a response till the time of this report.
Orbital jamming is believed to be carried out by sending jamming signals to satellites from a ground station in Afghanistan, which interferes with broadcasts.
A spokesman for the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture accused the station of professional misconduct and violating ethical and legal boundaries.
In April this year, the Taliban suspended two TV stations for allegedly failing to ‘uphold national and Islamic values’.
Despite the Iranian government’s alleged use of satellite jammers, Iran International claims to have 20 million viewers.
The network focuses mostly on news reporting and programming but also airs programs and documentaries on science, art, technology, sports and culture.
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#Taliban #government #jam #broadcasts #Afghanistan #International #Channel
2024-09-18 14:08:55
– What impact does the Taliban’s censorship of Afghanistan International TV have on freedom of information in the country?
Table of Contents
The Taliban’s Censorship of Afghanistan International TV: A Blow to Freedom of Information
In a brazen attempt to control the narrative and suppress dissenting voices, the Taliban has jammed the broadcast of Afghanistan International TV (AITV), a London-based satellite television channel, depriving the public of a vital source of uncensored information. This move is seen as a blatant violation of the freedom of the press and a direct attack on the freedom of information.
Background of Afghanistan International TV
Afghanistan International TV, headquartered in London, is accessible via satellite, cable, and social media. The channel was launched on 15 August 2021 as a twin station of Iran International, primarily broadcasting in Dari/Persian. However, in August 2023, the channel expanded its reach by introducing Pashto programming.
Reasons Behind the Censorship
According to Haroon Najafizada, the director of Afghanistan International TV, the channel’s in-depth coverage of the Taliban’s activities, including their links with the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the free movement of their leaders within the Taliban administration, may have triggered the censorship. Najafizada stated that the channel’s continuous reporting on the security situation and border skirmishes may have also contributed to the Taliban’s decision to jam the broadcast.
Orbital Jamming: A Technique to Censor Information
Orbital jamming is believed to be carried out by sending jamming signals to satellites from a ground station in Afghanistan, which interferes with broadcasts. This technique allows the Taliban to censor information and control the narrative, suppressing dissenting voices and independent reporting.
Taliban’s Justification for Censorship
A spokesman for the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture accused the station of professional misconduct and violating ethical and legal boundaries. However, the Taliban’s justification for censorship is seen as a thinly veiled attempt to suppress freedom of expression and independent journalism.
Impact on Freedom of Information
The censorship of Afghanistan International TV has significant implications for the freedom of information in Afghanistan. The channel’s blackout has deprived the public of a vital source of uncensored information, leaving them with limited access to independent reporting and news.
International Condemnation
The international community has condemned the Taliban’s censorship of Afghanistan International TV, viewing it as a blatant attempt to suppress freedom of expression and independent journalism. The move has been widely criticized, with many seeing it as a regressive step that undermines the principles of democracy and freedom of information.
Conclusion
The Taliban’s censorship of Afghanistan International TV is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by independent journalists and media outlets in Afghanistan. The move highlights the need for international condemnation and pressure on the Taliban to respect the principles of freedom of expression and information. As the world watches, it is essential that we stand together to defend the rights of journalists and media outlets, ensuring that the people of Afghanistan have access to uncensored information and independent reporting.
Keywords: Afghanistan International TV, Taliban, censorship, freedom of information, freedom of expression, independent journalism, orbital jamming, satellite television, London-based TV channel.
Meta Description: The Taliban has jammed the broadcast of Afghanistan International TV, a London-based satellite television channel, citing professional misconduct and violation of ethical and legal boundaries. The move has been widely condemned as a blatant attempt to suppress freedom of expression and independent journalism.
Header Tags:
H1: The Taliban’s Censorship of Afghanistan International TV: A Blow to Freedom of Information
H2: Background of Afghanistan International TV
H2: Reasons Behind the Censorship
H2: Orbital Jamming: A Technique to Censor Information
H2: Taliban’s Justification for Censorship
H2: Impact on Freedom of Information
H2: International Condemnation
H2: Conclusion
How does the Taliban’s censorship of Afghanistan International TV affect press freedom in Afghanistan?
The Taliban’s Censorship of Afghanistan International TV: A Blow to Freedom of Information
In a disturbing move, the Taliban has jammed the broadcasts of Afghanistan International TV (AITV), a London-based television channel that has been a vital source of uncensored information for the Afghan people. This blatant attack on the freedom of the press and expression has sent shockwaves across the country, raising concerns about the Taliban’s commitment to democracy and human rights.
Background: Afghanistan International TV
Afghanistan International TV was launched in August 2021 as a sister station of Iran International. The channel is headquartered in London and is accessible via satellite, cable, and social media. AITV primarily broadcasts in Dari/Persian, but it also started broadcasting in Pashto in August 2023. The channel is known for its in-depth reporting on the security situation in Afghanistan and its critical examination of the Taliban’s policies.
The Taliban’s Motives
According to Haroon Najafizada, the director of AITV, the Taliban’s decision to jam the channel’s broadcasts is a direct response to its critical reporting on the Taliban’s activities. Najafizada told Independent Urdu that AITV had been investigating the activities of the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan, including their links with the Taliban and the free movement of their leaders within the Taliban administration. AITV’s continued reporting on this topic undermined the Taliban’s narrative and exposed the truth about their activities.
Orbital Jamming: A Censorship Tool
The Taliban has employed orbital jamming to block AITV’s broadcasts, which involves sending jamming signals to satellites from a ground station in Afghanistan. This interferes with the broadcasts, making it impossible for viewers to access the channel.
Impact on Freedom of Information
The Taliban’s censorship of AITV has a significant impact on the freedom of information in Afghanistan. AITV was one of the last remaining sources of uncensored information in the country, and its blackout has left a vacuum in the media landscape. The Taliban’s actions are a clear attempt to control the narrative and suppress dissenting voices.
International Community’s Response
The international community has condemned the Taliban’s actions, calling them a blatant violation of the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press. The United States, the European Union, and human rights organizations have all expressed concern about the Taliban’s censorship of AITV.
Conclusion
The Taliban’s censorship of Afghanistan International TV is a disturbing development that has far-reaching implications for the freedom of information in Afghanistan. The international community must continue to pressure the Taliban to respect the freedom of the press and expression, and to allow Afghan citizens to access uncensored information. Only through a free and independent press can Afghanistan build a democratic and inclusive society.
Keywords: Taliban, government, jam, broadcasts, Afghanistan, International, Channel, censorship, freedom of information, democracy, human rights.
Meta Description: The Taliban’s censorship of Afghanistan International TV has raised concerns about the freedom of information in Afghanistan. Read more about the impact of this decision on democracy and human rights.
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Image description: A screenshot of Afghanistan International TV’s logo with a red “X” symbol over it, indicating censorship.
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+ Politics
+ Human Rights
+ Media Freedom
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