State-Run TV in Balkh Switches to Radio After Taliban Bans Images of Living Beings

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – State-run TV in northern Balkh province has switched to radio after the Taliban banned airing images of living beings, media watchdog reports, bringing the total number of affected provinces to 21.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) said on Friday that Taliban governor for Balkh, Yousuf Wafa, directed local officials to stop giving televised interviews. Local sources told the watchdog the decision followed visits by some officials to Kandahar, where they were instructed to enforce the ban on images of living beings.