The US government-funded news agency has launched a 24/7 direct-to-home satellite-delivered television channel for Afghanistan after the Taliban banned Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts from terrestrial television.
According to Voice of America (VOA), the channel carries uncensored news and information in both the Pashto and Dari languages of the country.
Also read: UN seeks $4.4 billion for Afghans struggling under Taliban
VOA’s programs were ordered off affiliated television stations in Afghanistan effective on March 27, as part of a broad ban on content regarded as undermining Taliban policies, including prohibiting women from anchoring newscasts with men.
VOA’s new TV stream, identified as “VOA Afghanistan,” is on the Yahsat Y-1A satellite (52.2 degrees East), Transponder 12 (downlink frequency 11.938 GHz), Channel 469.
Also read: China’s Xi Jinping strongly backs Afghanistan at regional conference
The Yahsat satellite is Afghanistan’s most popular platform, ensuring the Afghan audience will have access to VOA’s programming despite the Taliban censorship, reported VOA.
“Afghanistan is now one of the most repressive media markets in the world,” said Acting VOA Director Yolanda Lopez.
Also read: As Taliban restrict girls from high school, World Bank freezes Afghan projects
“Despite the Taliban’s attempt to end press freedom, VOA News stands by its Afghan audience with credible and authoritative news and information,” Lopez added.
According to reports, the VOA Afghanistan satellite stream will contain its popular “TV Ashna” newscasts, its women’s show “Etesal,” viewer call-in programming, and programming from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Azadi radio. Additional programming is planned, including entertainment shows to fill a void in Afghanistan, where local channels cannot air music programs.
Also read: Taliban bars government employees without beards from work: Report
The VOA satellite channel has been in development since August, before the fall of Afghanistan’s elected government. The channel is also accessible on YouTube and on VOA’s Pashto and Dari language websites.
Domestic and international critics say media and freedom of speech have worsened under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
