Somali press freedom deteriorates as radio stations closed down

Somalia has been everything except for a paradise for journalists who speak their minds. Press freedom in the war torn country has taken yet another blow, now that two independent radio stations have been forced to close their doors.

Radio Warsan and Jubba radio were two of the few independent radio stations in Somalia. Operating from Baidoa, a town 250 km northwest of Somalia's capital of Mogadishu, the stations have often been threatened with closure by the country's hard line Shabaab insurgents. "Starting today, the Islamic administration of Bay and Bakol regions orders the staff members of Warsan and Juba radio stations to completely stop broadcasting until further notice," a Shabaab statement said on Wednesday. The Shabaab control large swathes of southern and central Somalia. Over the past years they have closed down several radio stations and imposed tough restrictions on other media outlets. According to the director of Radio Warsan, the statement was brought to him just before the scheduled broadcasting. It is unclear what the complaints are. "They did not give us a reason for silencing the independent radio stations," he told AFP. "They also gave us verbal warnings that anybody ignoring their orders will face harsh reprisals." Somalia, situated in the North-East of Africa, is one of the worst countries when it comes to freedom of the press as well as safety for journalists and media workers. Since the start of the year, six journalists, reporters and photographers lost their lives. Two foreign reporters - a Canadian and an Australian - have been held hostage for more than a year.