Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Groups Blast Arrests of Somali Journalists

   Michael Onyiego | Nairobi  March 29, 2011
   Bashir Nur Gedi, head of Shabelle Media Network, the second biggest in
   the  Horn  of  Africa  nation, attends a meeting moments before he was
   killed in his home in southern Mogadishu, Somalia (File Photo)

Photo: AFP

   Bashir Nur Gedi, head of Shabelle Media Network, the second biggest in
   the  Horn  of  Africa  nation, attends a meeting moments before he was
   killed in his home in southern Mogadishu, Somalia (File Photo)

   International  and  local  rights  groups  are demanding the immediate
   release of journalists being held by the Somali government.

   Somaliaâs  Transitional Federal Government is facing intense criticism
   after the detention of two journalists from Mogadishuâs Shabelle Media
   Network.

   On  Sunday,  the National Security Agency arrested Radio Shabelle News
   Editor  Abdi  Mohammed Ismail and Director Abdirashid Omar Qasse after
   summoning  them to the agencyâs headquarters. While no official reason
   was  given for their arrest, the journalists were detained following a
   report  on  Radio  Shabelle  which stated that President Sheikh Sharif
   Sheikh  Ahmed  was  unable  to visit parts of Mogadishu due to lack of
   security.

   Representatives  of  the  media house slammed the arrest, pointing out
   that  organizations such as the Voice of America had broadcast similar
   reports.

   The Africa head of Reporters Without Borders, Ambroise Pierre, blasted
   the arrest of Ismail and Qasse as a double blow to Somali journalists.
   âThe  situation  in  Somalia  for the journalists is already appalling
   because  of  the  insecurity  and  the  Islamist  militias  being very
   intolerant towards freedom of expression," said Pierre. "The fact that
   the  TFG  is  now  also  being  repressive on journalists is extremely
   worrying. It seems that finally the danger will come from all sides in
   Somalia for journalists.
   The  Paris-based organization said late Monday there was evidence that
   the  Shabelle  journalists were being denied access to lawyers, family
   visits and even food.

   Efforts   led   by  Somaliaâs  Information  Ministry  and  members  of
   parliament  are reportedly being taken to secure the release of Ismail
   and  Qasse.  But  according  to  Pierre the government has demanded an
   apology from Radio Shabelle as a precondition for their release.
   âWe  are  shocked  by  this  behavior. It shows that the government is
   clearly trying to control what is being said on the TFG," said Pierre.
   "One  should  never  ask media to apologize when the media just made a
   report  that  is true and professional. We think that it is really bad
   practice  to  try  to  bargain  the release of two journalists against
   apologies.â
   The Shabelle Media Network is a major media outlet both within Somalia
   and  throughout  east  Africa.  Radio  Shabelle  has  been  frequently
   threatened  by Somaliaâs Islamist rebels and was awarded the Reporters
   Without Borders Press Freedom Prize in December.

.