WITH the kind of philosophy the Taliban preach and practice, the threat of dire consequences to the media should it carry any report against them was not unexpected, nor should it be taken lightly. Even Maulana Sufi Muhammad, head of the Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi, who is supposed to have a different ideology, has been outspoken in running down the concepts of democracy, elections and the judiciary as they prevail in the country at the present time, Independent news media, being an outgrowth of a democratic system of governance, would obviously not be to the liking of any fanatical elements. Unfortunately, the Taliban happen to be armed to the teeth and are ready to lay down their lives for a cause. And if news reports tend to expose them (as they did in the case of the flogging of a girl) they are likely to take it as serving against the interests of their cause. The threat is condemnable and calls for all necessary precaution to be taken to forestall any untoward incident. Journalists have a difficult job to do, and in this age of endemic violence they have suffered a great deal. Incidents of murder and physical assault and kidnapping and torture have been happening to them in different parts of the world, including our own country. Yet the call of duty must oblige them to present the picture as they see it, and not as someone wants them to put it across. But, they should expect no quarter from the militants. One can only hope that someone succeeds in bringing home to them a most fundamental lesson of Islam - peace and love for all mankind.