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| Africa Horn | |
| Somalia: Govt. shuts down Radio Warsan in Baidoa | |
| 2006-12-15 | |
(SomaliNet) The only remaining local independent FM Radio Warsan in Baidoa city, southwest of Somalia has been shut down on Thursday by the interim government authority - amid growing pressure on free press in the areas controlled by transitional federal government, Reports say.
Mr. Gesey said he did not know the reason that his station was closed. “I was out of the station at the time of shutting down the Radio and I really got shocked when I heard the news and this is total violation against the free press.” “I think my station was shut down because of early air program on complaints by families that illegally moved away from areas near to presidential palace,” Gesey said. He said there has been no early warning by the government given to the station and it was surprise action. He added that there was no any official decree from the government ordering the closure of the Radio Warsan. “I was told that it was an oral order from the police command in Baidoa,” he said. No harassment was subjected to the staff of Radio Warsan, Gesey confirmed. Earlier, the studios of Shabelle and Horn Afrik Radios in Baidoa were shut down by the government accusing it of airing reports bias to Islamic Courts side. There has been four Radio stations operating in Baidoa, the base of TFG; Radio Warsan, Shabelle Radio, Horn Afrik Radio and Baidoa Radio which is pro-government. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |