Taliban threaten media of dire consequences

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 December 2014

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan issued a threat to national media for not covering their narrative, claiming significant militant casualties. The group warns of dire consequences for media backing security forces.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has threatened the national media of dire consequences for refusing coverage to them.

In a statement issued Monday, spokesman for the proscribed outfit Muhammad Khurasani said that 120 militants of his organization were murdered in the past two days. He accused media and intellectuals of insensitively ignoring the killings of the TTP men. “Media will have to face dire consequences for backing the security forces”, he threatened.

The TTP has claimed responsibility for the Peshawar carnage where148 people mostly schoolchildren were massacred.

Pakistan army has intensified its offensive against the militants in North Waziristan and other parts of the country.

Social media activists have been running a campaign on Twitter with #NoAirTimeforTaliban hashtag to urge anchorpersons and media managers to deny airtime to Taliban and their apologists like Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid fame.
 

KEY POINTS:

• TTP threatens media for ignoring coverage of their losses.
• Spokesman Muhammad Khurasani claims 120 militants killed recently.
• Media accused of insensitivity towards TTP casualties.
• Pakistan army intensifies operations against militants.
• Social media campaign launched to deny airtime to the Taliban.