The Afghanistan Journalists Center expresses deep concern about the increasing restrictions imposed on media operations across the country.
This statement was originally published on afjc.media on 1 March 2025.
Arezo TV’s office in Kabul has officially reopened today following an 86-day closure mandated by a raid conducted by the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) and the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) welcomes this development but strongly condemns the closure as a severe infringement on the rights of free media.
Basir Abed, head of Arezo TV, informed AFJC that the seal on the television station’s office was lifted around 11 a.m. today, allowing employees to return to work. He said that the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice approved the reopening “without imposing any special conditions.”
The closure followed a raid on December 4, 2024, during which GDI and Ministry personnel mistreated Arezo TV staff, confiscated electronic storage devices and computers, arrested seven employees, and sealed the office. A notice posted by the Ministry stated that the outlet had been closed “until further notice due to broadcasting immoral and vulgar series.” Later that day, in a press release, the Ministry accused Arezo TV of collaborating with exiled media outlets to dub and air content deemed contrary to Islamic and Afghan principles and traditions.
The detained employees were released from Pul-e-Charkhi Prison on December 18 after providing a written “guarantee” to remain in Kabul and attend their court session, where they were expected to hear the charges against them. Today, the head of Arezo TV stated that the court declared the employees innocent, affirming that there are no restrictions on their ability to continue working for the media outlet.
AFJC welcomes the reopening of Arezo TV and the court’s decision regarding the station’s employees, reiterating that the 86-day closure is a serious violation of the fundamental rights of free media. AFJC expresses deep concern about the increasing restrictions imposed on media operations across the country and urges the de facto authorities to uphold Afghanistan’s Media Law, which, as deemed applicable by the de facto Ministry of Information and Culture, asserts that media outlets are free to carry out their professional activities without undue restrictions or threats.
