Taliban threat forces media shut down

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 October 2012

Threats from the Taliban have led to increased security measures around media offices in Peshawar. Staff were instructed to work from home as businesses closed down.

Summary

PESHAWAR: Security around the Badshah Tower housing offices of several media organizations was heightened Thursday and staff told to leave following a serious Taliban threat. Journalists and other employees were asked to work from home as offices virtually shut down. Geo TV, Jang, The News, Nai Baat, Intermedia and Internews are some of the prominent organizations operating out of the tower in Super Market. Most shops, hotels and other businesses in and around the area also closed down. Media criticism of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the October 9 attack on child activist Malala Yousufzai in Mingora (Swat), upset the Taliban. Two other girls were also injured. The banned militant outfit warned last week, they would attack media houses and some journalists because of their stern criticism. Malala, shot in the head as she headed home from school on a van, is currently undergoing treatment in Britain. Security will continue to be tight on Friday, termed another high-risk day by the authorities.

KEY POINTS:

• Security heightened around Badshah Tower housing media organizations
• Journalists asked to work from home following Taliban threat
• TTP criticized media for coverage of Malala Yousufzai attack
• Most shops and businesses in the area also closed down
• Security will remain tight due to high-risk assessments on Friday.