Somalia / TFG Administration Threatens to Close Down Radio Stations

Somalia / TFG Administration Threatens to Close Down Radio Stations

MOGADISHU, April 19, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

The National Union of Somali Journalist (NUSOJ) is alarmed by the new threats of silencing the radio stations in the government controlled areas form the regional Administration of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG).

In a press conference held in Mogadishu on Sunday, 18 April 2010, Abdikafi Hilowle Osman, the General Secretary of Banadir Regional Administration which also administers Mogadishu city for TFG threatened that they will close down the radio stations that complied the music ban from the Hisbul Islam insurgents.

This week, at least 14 radio stations halted music in Mogadishu, heeding an ultimatum from the Hisbul Islam insurgent group that ordered the radio stations in Mogadishu to cease music and songs which most of the independent radio stations in Mogadishu acted in accordance with the order for safety reasons.

?Media is not combat zone. This is very disheartening statement. It is absolutely absurd and shameful for the regional administration and transitional government that such an official makes this ill-fated threat to media that is already severing from oppression and manipulation,? said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

Abdikafi Hilowle Osman said that ?they will not tolerate the four radio stations that halted airing music and songs in the government controlled area.? and added that ?We consider these radio stations are working with insurgents and will be closed down,? he told reporters in a press conference held in Mogadishu today .

?Silencing the radio stations in the TFG controlled area by TFG forces and its administrations is putting TFG in same page with cruel extremists. The administration should immediately withdraw this threat and TFG should make its position public on this threat otherwise its silence will be deemed as acceptance of this official's position? Omar added.

Source: The National Union of Somali Journalist (NUSOJ)

-------
Profile: intent