Two journalists in the region were last week barred from performing their duties, and the only news media organisation operating in Gedo region restricted and suppressed, according to NUSOJ.
Al-Shabaab, which has established an “Islamic administration” in Bardhere, ordered Radio Markabley to fire two of its journalists. In a written order which was signed by the head of the “Islamic administration” in the region, Abdiwahab Hashi Hassan, the group instructed the management of the radio station to sack Mohamed Abdullahi Farah and Sahro Ali Mohamud.
The two who are both newscasters and producers, have been condemned for unspecified “biased reports” and for “overstating the capacity of the transitional federal government and that of Ahlu Sunnah Islamic movement”.
On Saturday, 22 August 2009, the Al-Shabaab leadership convened a meeting with Radio Markabley management and presented the following edicts and accusations:
The radio station was also commanded to broadcast these seven edicts and accusations, but the radio responded that they will think and state the station's position.
Source: National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)