Somalia’s Transitional Government Shuts 3 Radio Stations

SOMALIA'S TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN 3 RADIO STATIONS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Jeffery Gettleman]
Somalia’s transitional government shut three of the country’s biggest radio stations on Monday, accusing them of broadcasting incendiary propaganda. Executives of the radio stations, however, said that was no excuse to force them off the air. “All we have done is voice different opinions,” said Mohammed Amiin, deputy chairman of Shabelle Media Network. “We never expected this to happen.” Abdirahman Dinari, spokesman for the transitional government, accused Shabelle, along with the other stations, of making false reports to stir up the people against the government. “They said our soldiers were looting the markets and harassing people, which was totally untrue,” he said. “They are using the media to undermine the government. They have been doing this for months.” Security officials have summoned station owners to a meeting on Tuesday, and Mr. Dinari said there was a possibility that the stations would soon be back on the air, after they were given a warning.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/16/world/africa/16somalia.html
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