Afghan journalist killed after Taliban warning

KANDAHAR: A high-profile Afghan television journalist was shot dead in here Thursday, officials said, a day after the Taliban warned against "biased reporting" by the media. Nemat Rawan was until last month a popular talkshowhostwiththecountry´sleadingbroadcasterTolo News,beforejoiningtheministryoffinanceasacommunicationsspecialist.Hewas“assassinated by unknown gunmen”, Kandahar city police spokesman Jamal Nasir Barekzai told AFP. “Heartbreakingtohearthatafriend and former colleague Nemat RawanwasshotdeadinKandahar city today,” Lotfullah Najafizada, head of Tolo News,postedonTwitter. There was no claim of responsibilityfortheattack,but theTalibanhavebeenblamed for a wave of assassinations targetingjournalistsinrecent months. On Wednesday, a Taliban spokesman warned thatmediaworkerswhocarry out “biased reporting” would be “held responsible”. Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the country´s peace council, on Thursday condemned the Taliban´s threat against the media and “any attempts to silence Afghan journalists”. Members of Afghanistan´s educated class — including journalists, activists and judges — have for months been the target of bombings and shootings, forcing many togointohidingorleavethe country.—AFP