BBC and Voice of America Banned in Rebel Controlled Areas
Apr 9, 2010
Somalia's Al-Shabaab militant group has banned the BBC and Voice of America in areas under their control, accusing the news agencies of reporting news unfavorable to them.
A statement issued by the militants today ordered radio stations partnered with the two banned agencies to terminate their contracts and agreements to air their news.
"The BBC is a leading mouthpiece for the infidels to damage the image of Islam." The statement said.
Armed fighters from the group entered two studios for the BBC in Mogadishu and the southern town of Kismayo and took equipment, including transmitters, away.
"The BBC misled Somalis and overstates the importance of the so called TFG (the Transitional Federal Government) and we decided to stop it." The statement adds.
They didn't specifically refer to VOA in the accusations, but earlier charged VOA with being America's mouthpiece. Listeners can now receive news from the agencies only on the Internet and short wave radio.
This is a part of the latest crackdown on journalism in Somalia as the nation's war-weary media faces a historical level of violence and repression causing "widespread, persistent and severe problems" as a minister said this week after militants banned the broadcast of music on local radio stations.
Maalin Hashi Mohamed Farah, Somali Capitol Chief for Hizbul Islam recently ordered the local media to stop airing music within ten days, also warning the media to describe the foreign Jihadists in Somalia not as "foreigners" but Mujahidiin. He said that those who ignore the warning will face "strict" actions.
Somalia is one of the most dangerous places to work as a journalist, the killing of journalists has become common with widespread speculation that the murders are carried out by insurgents who constantly try to coerce journalists to air favorable reports.
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