The Taliban warn journalists and experts against cooperating with Afghanistan International TV

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The Taliban are warning journalists and experts against working with Afghanistan International TV

KABUL, Afghanistan — KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban on Thursday warned journalists and experts against working with Afghanistan International TV, saying they would be committing a crime if they cooperated with the station. It’s the first time they have told people not to cooperate with a specific outlet.

Afghanistan International TV, which is headquartered in London, is accessible through satellite, cable and social media.

A spokesman for the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Information and Culture alleged the station was committing professional violations and violating moral and legal boundaries.

The Media Violations Commission wanted all journalists and experts in Afghanistan to cease their collaboration with the station, said ministry spokesman Habib Ghofran.

“At the commission’s meeting held yesterday (Wednesday), it was decided that participating in discussions and facilitating the broadcast of this media outlet in public places is prohibited,” added Ghofran.

The deputy minister for broadcasting Zia ul Haq Haqmal said people would be committing a crime if they cooperated with the station.

He cited 10 reasons to avoid working with Afghanistan International TV, including its alleged distortion or falsification of information and campaigning against the ruling system.

“If someone does not cooperate on the basis of all these 10 reasons, then it’s the court’s job to give a punishment,” said Haqmal.

The director of Afghanistan International TV, Harun Najafizada, said the commission's decision would not affect the channel because it had no employees or freelancers in the country.

“We don’t have anyone on the ground