BBC’s Alleged Backing Of Taliban Administration Sparks Controversy

The UK-based investigative news outlet UnHerd has reported that the BBC and its affiliated organisation, BBC Media Action, have been making significant payments to the Taliban.

So far, the BBC’s press office has not responded to Afghanistan International’s inquiries regarding its financial interactions with the group.

Allegations of Payments to the Taliban

According to UnHerd, the BBC has been paying the Taliban’s security agencies to protect its broadcasting infrastructure in Afghanistan. If true, these payments could potentially breach UK and US sanctions against the Taliban.

The report, authored by Ali Hamedani and David Rose, highlights that since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the group has resumed public executions, imposed gender apartheid, and intensified restrictions on freedom of speech. Despite the Taliban shutting down multiple independent media outlets, the BBC has continued operations in Afghanistan—raising concerns over its relationship with the group.

The investigation suggests that the BBC may have adjusted its editorial policies to avoid broadcasting reports that could upset the Taliban, allegedly exerting internal pressure on its journalists to comply.

BBC’s Relationship with the Taliban

UnHerd’s report claims that while the Taliban has banned international broadcasters such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty—both direct competitors of the BBC—the Taliban has maintained favourable ties with the British broadcaster.

It also notes a meeting in 2022 between Jacky Martens, BBC’s South Asia bureau chief, and Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister. The timing of this meeting, which occurred just two weeks before the Taliban banned Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, raises suspicions about BBC’s editorial stance and its continued operations inside Afghanistan.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, who heads the Haqqani Network, remains on international sanctions lists and is wanted for terrorism-related activities. At the time of the meeting, the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior described the BBC as an important international media organisation, with Haqqani stating that he expected “neutrality” in its reporting on Afghanistan.

Funding Taliban-Controlled Media and Security Forces

The investigation claims that the BBC has been making direct payments to Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), the state broadcaster now under Taliban control. Despite BBC’s refusal to disclose exact figures, a spokesperson confirmed that the payments covered transmitter usage, electricity costs, and security expenses.

However, UnHerd’s findings indicate that these payments extend to security services provided by Taliban officials—notably under Haqqani’s leadership.

Further, the report alleges that BBC Media Action, the charity arm of the BBC engaged in educational projects in Afghanistan, may have transferred up to 60 percent of its UK and US government funding to the Taliban under the guise of taxes and operational fees.

Both Sirajuddin Haqqani and Qari Mohammad Yousuf Ahmadi, the Taliban-appointed head of RTA, remain on sanctions lists, making any financial transactions with them potentially illegal under UK law.

The UnHerd report states:

“Aside from his avowed extremism, Haqqani is the former head of the so-called Haqqani Network, a group responsible for kidnapping British citizens and conducting deadly suicide bombings. Since Haqqani remains on Britain’s sanctions list, it is a criminal offence under UK law to have any financial dealings with him. Qari Mohammad Yousuf Ahmadi, head of RTA, is on the sanctions list too, not least for writing articles glorifying attacks on Western troops.”

Reaction to the Report

Following the publication of UnHerd’s investigation, Richard Grenell, the former US presidential envoy and Deputy Director of National Intelligence, urged Elon Musk to address the allegations, noting that USAID funding had previously supported the BBC.

Editorial Censorship in Favour of the Taliban

UnHerd further reported that BBC’s Afghanistan service appears to suppress anti-Taliban content that is otherwise covered by other BBC sections.

According to the report, the BBC has ceased airing Western music in its programming, though the broadcaster stated that it occasionally includes Afghan music in its broadcasts.

One BBC journalist, speaking anonymously, confirmed that editorial self-censorship has increased under Taliban pressure. The journalist stated:

“People call and beg us to play more music on air, but we don’t—because if we do, our operations inside Afghanistan could be shut down.”

Additionally, UnHerd found that Taliban complaints have led to internal investigations into BBC journalists, raising concerns about the broadcaster’s independence.

BBC Media Action’s Deal with Taliban-Controlled Media

The investigation also revealed that BBC Media Action signed a memorandum of understanding with Taliban-controlled RTA, securing a $1.9 million agreement for health education projects.

BBC officials confirmed that Media Action has been paying the Taliban-imposed taxes on staff salaries and operational activities.

Despite these allegations, the BBC defended its continued presence in Afghanistan, stating that it remains proud to be the only international broadcaster still operating in the country.