International Federation of Journalists
Monday, March 04, 2013
The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) today has called on Somalia to reopen a private radio station.
According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), an IFJ
affiliate, authorities in Adado town of Galgudud region in central
Somalia have decided on Saturday 2 March, to shut down the private
Al-Ihsan Radio station.
Mohamed Adan, head of the Hibin and Heb administration signed a
letter ordering the radio station to shutdown and asked armed men in a
four-wheel drive to deliver the letter. It blamed the radio station for
compromising the peace in the town and spreading inaccurate and
unacceptable information which is contrary to the policy of the
administration. The management of the radio station denied all these
accusations.
"This is a blatant press freedom violation. We call on authorities in
Somalia to reopen the radio station. In this particular context Somalia
needs free and fair media able to play a positive role in the country's
reconstruction and reconciliation," said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa
Director.
The management of the radio station the first to be established in
Adado since two years said it has been broadcasting programs on
religion, piracy, alleged corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
"We condemn this disruptive and inexplicable act which is nothing
short of an attempt to suppress media freedom in the region and demand
that Al-Ihsan Radio be allowed to resume broadcasting immediately," said
Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
For more information, please contact IFJ: +221 33 867 95 86
The IFJ represents over 600.000 journalists in 134 countries