Latest Hizbul Islam Orders Further Repress Somali Journalists
Apr 7, 2010
Story Highlights
Hizbul Islamists order local media to stop airing music
Repression and violence toward journalists historically high
Somalia's war-weary media is facing brutal repression from insurgents causing "widespread, persistent and severe" problems after militants banned music from airing on the local radio stations, a minister said.
Ma'alin Hashi Mohamed Farah, the Somali Capital Chief for Hizbul Islam on Saturday, ordered the local media to stop airing music within 10 days.
He also warned the media to describe the foreign jihadists in Somalia not as 'foreigners' but Mujahidiin, as he preferred, saying those who ignore the warning will face 'strict' actions.
Somalia's information minister Dahir Mohamud Gelle told reporters Wednesday that journalists are now working under conditions that are crippling a large part of their professional ethics.
"The local media is facing the worst situation since they have existed in Somalia," Gelle said.
He says the media should reconsider the rebels' orders to protect their journalistic freedom. The fragile government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed is fighting rebel groups and controls little more than a few blocks of the capitol. Journalists, along with foreign aid workers, also risk being kidnapped for ransom.
Somalia is one of the most dangerous places to operate as a journalist. The slaying of journalists has become common with suspicions falling on the Islamic insurgents who constantly coerce journalists to air reports
favorable to them.
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Tags:
Africa, Hizbul Islam, Islam, journalism, MOGADISHU, Radio broadcasting, somali journalism, somali journalists, somali media, Somalia
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