Taliban Threaten Afghan Media          06/24 06:43

   KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- The Taliban have issued a threat to Afghan media, 
saying journalists will be targeted unless news outlets stop broadcasting what 
they describe as government propaganda against the insurgents.

   Monday's statement gives Afghan radio stations, TV channels and others a 
week to cease transmitting anti-Taliban announcements paid for by the 
government.

   The Taliban say that Afghan media that refuse to do this will be considered 
enemy intelligence nests and their journalists and other staffers will not be 
safe.

   The government in Kabul pays media outlets to regularly air please to the 
public to inform authorities if they see any suspicious Taliban activities.

   The Taliban have targeted Afghan media, radio and TV stations in the past 
but this is the insurgents' first threat over a specific issue such as the 
government-paid announcements.


(KA)