Media Helping Media

Radio silenced by 'heavy gunfire'

Published on Thursday, 20 September 2007

Written by Radio Shabelle staff

  

The following is a statement issued by Radio Shabelle on September 20. This site doesn't aim to present balance in submitted articles. However, anyone is free to add their comments to published items or to offer an article presenting an alternative point of view.

We are sadly announcing that our media network has ceased all its media activity after forces from the transitional government of [[Somalia]] randomly fired at our premises in [[Mogadishu]] yesterday and today.

The damage caused by heavy gunfire directed at our premises is immense so we can’t continue operating our radio station.

All the equipment, including our main studio, is destroyed after two and a half hours of firing from government forces.

"This is totally inhumane and savage attack on Somalia’s struggle to freedom of speech," said Mr. Abdimaalik Yusuf Mohamud chairman of Shabelle media in a statement released as the radio station closed.

"We are also ceasing our operation because of the increasing threat to our staff and our building," he said.

The forces firing at Shabelle are reported to be under the direct command of the head of Somalia’s national security agency.

During the siege and the barrage of gun fire at Shabelle Media Network, around 30 personnel were on the premises, including management staff, journalists and supporting staff.

All personnel hid under tables for cover as the bullets were flying in through the windows and doors.

We are also calling the international media support groups and the contact group on Somalia in particular to pressure the government of Somalia to guarantee and protect the freedom of expression in Somalia.

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Note: The following is from an email received from Radio Shabelle staff. It read...

On Tuesday, 18 September, government forces attacked our center when staff were in the building. They fired every windows and tried to break the doors with their boots. I was among 25 Shabelle journalist in the building at that time. The troops  have been firing us for several hours. There are some of our staff still in the building. Please publish this on Media Helping Media.

Clearly, this is one side of the story. If anyone cares to provide another perspective, please either add a comment to this piece or register for the site (registration is free-of-charge) and request author status.

 

  

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