Government orders closure of FM stations in Somalia

Shabelle Media Network has received a government decree from the prime minister's office, ordering the closure of the station.

The Somali government has issued the decree to close down three main FM stations in the capital. The decree orders Shabelle Media Network, Horn Afrik and IQK (The holy Quran Media) to shut down.

"They have breached the rules of the free media, confused the Somali population and opposed the existence of the Somalia government," the decree said.

These three radios have been ordered to shut down twice in the past as the Somali government accused them of exaggerating the government and Ethiopian military operations in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. Horn Afrik and IQK went off air soon after they received the decree.

Shabelle Media Network has been on air for awhile before the decree arrived, but it was shut down soon after it arrived.

Radio Warsan in Baidoa was closed two days ago after the government administration in the farming town issued the decree to shut the FM down.

Abdi Qeybded, the head of the Somali national police force, said he hopes that the stations would abide by the government orders.

"They can contact government officials assigned for this, but they have been accused off all articles in the decree," he said.

Source: Shabelle

KC