Radio Free Afghanistan: A Twenty-Year Odyssey for an Independent Voice in Kabul

Mohseni, the founder of Moby Group, Afghanistan’s largest media company, reflects on the 20 years he spent bringing free press to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban regime. Having fled Afghanistan after a communist coup d’etat in 1978, Mohseni and his three siblings decided to return following the U.S. invasion in 2002. A year later, they launched Arman FM, followed by TOLO TV, which featured talent shows, soap operas, and street reporting that focused on everyday citizens’ most pressing concerns. When the U.S. withdrew its troops and the Taliban regained control, Mohseni’s media group was forced to restrict its efforts. Narrator Ramiz Monsef ardently presents this insider account of the sacrifices Moby workers made to provide ongoing news coverage, even after the tragic loss of seven lives during a 2016 Taliban attack on the company’s offices. Monsef’s well-paced performance captures the author’s sincerity and commitment while providing a gripping account of the turmoil Afghans experienced during this period.