NUSOJ condemns rebel insurgent's order to shut down a radio station in Mogadishu

NUSOJ condemns rebel insurgent's order to shut down a radio station in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, April 15, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

The National Union of Somali Journalists is angrily condemning by order from insurgent group, Hisbul Islam, to shut down a radio station in Mogadishu for indefinite time on Wednesday morning, the latest in a series of attacks against the media in Somalia.

Militias from Hisbul Islam stormed the premises of GBC radioWednesday 14 April, 2010 and ordered the radio to go off air without pre-notice.

The radio, founded in mid 2006, is based in Huriwaa neighborhood, north of the capital, an insurgent held area and was part of the radios that complied the music ban order, following an ultimatum from Hisbul Islam that lasted Tuesday.. At least 14 independent radio stations halted the music for taking care of their safety and security. The group considers music as un-islamic.

?Hisbul Islam militias came to the radio station and ordered us to cease operations for indefinite time.? said an eyewitness journalists, who spoke a condition of anonymity for their security related matter and stayed at the time of the order.

?We don't know why all these are happening. We have to walk out of our work? he added.

The reason behind the closure of the radio is not yet known and the Hisbul Islam group, that issued the order did not comment. The radio station was off air late Wednesday.

Besides the recent music ban order from Hisbul Islam, the Shabab insurgents also banned the foreign broadcasts of the BBC and VOA in the areas under their control with immediate effect, accusing them violating the Islam and spreading Western Propaganda.

?We strongly condemn the strongest terms possible to the act of shutting down the radio. This is an act to intimidate and finally hijack the freedom of Expression and the freedom of the press.? said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ ? Secretary General.

"The voilent acts against the independent media is intollerable as the media freedom continues falling under constant threat the insurgent groups, practicing gross violations againt the press only to dominate the media freedom in the areas they control in the Southern Somalia, that Mogadishu was the last stronghold to face the oppressive edicts and pressures" Omar said, calling for "Solidarity and unity among the journalists." and "immediate and unconditional resumption of the radio operations"

The insurgents groups, Shabab and Hisbul Islam had already imposed oppressive edicts against the media professionals in Southern Somalia, seized some of the radio stations, deported, arrested, intimidated, threatened the journalists. They also barred the women journalists, resulting an massive exodus of journalists.

Source: The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

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