Two journalists in the region were last week barred from performing their duties, and the only news media organization operating in Gedo region restricted and suppressed.

Al-Shabaab, which has established an “Islamic administration” in Bardhere, ordered Radio Markabley to fire two of its journalists. In a written order which was signed by the head of the “Islamic administration” in the region, Abdiwahab Hashi Hassan, the group instructed the management of the radio station to sack Mohamed Abdullahi Farah and Sahro Ali Mohamud.

The two who are both newscasters and producers, have been condemned for unspecified “biased reports” and for “overstating the capacity of the transitional federal government and that of Ahlu Sunnah Islamic movement”.

On Saturday, 22 August 2009, the Al-Shabaab leadership convened a meeting with Radio Markabley management and presented the following edicts and accusations:

That Radio Markabley has been neutral about “holy war” and has been working “independently”.
That the radio station eliminates all secular songs from its broadcast.
That the station must not use any musical programs, interviews, advertisements and news. 
That no woman journalist should work as a broadcaster in the station.
That journalist Sahro Ali Mohamud must not work any more at Radio Markabley.
That the radio must not give any prominence or preference or titles to members of the transitional government from Gedo region. This must also apply to leaders of the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jameeca Islamic group.
Not to feature, in any interview, any official of the Transitional government and any leader of the Ahlu-Sunnah Islamic group.

The Radio Station was also commanded to broadcast these seven edicts and accusations, but the Radio responded that they will think and state the station’s position.

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For further information, contact:
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
Taleex Street, KM4 Area, Hodan District,
Mogadishu, Somalia, tel/fax: +252 1 859 944,
e-mail: newsletter@nusoj.org  
Internet: http://www.nusoj.org

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National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is a national union representing Somali journalists to promote and protect freedom of the press and the interests and rights of journalists. It is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Freedom of Expression exchange (IFEX), Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA). NUSOJ is partner with Reporters without Borders (RWB).