By Abdiaziz Hassan

Nairobi, Kenya, 7 March 2008 - The US government strongly condemned on Friday the closure of Somalia radios and the arrest of Shabelle Radio�s director Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe amid continuing media crack down in the country's capital Mogadishu after the security forces attacked three main stations in the capital last weekend.

Mark Zimmer, the public diplomacy officer of the US embassy in Kenya for Somalia said in a statement �The United States strongly condemns the closings of three radio stations in Mogadishu, Somalia, and the related arrest of Shabelle director Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe over the weekend of March 1 and 2.

The closure and temporary cessation of broadcasts from Radio Shabelle, Horn Afrik, and Radio Simba marks another disturbing instance of the interruption of free media in Somalia.

The US called on the government of Somalia to ensure the safety and the proection of the media in Somalia, underling the free media is essential in coverning the planned elections at the end of next year.

"We again call on the Transitional Federal Government to ensure the safety and protection of a free and independent media in Somalia. A vibrant media will be an integral part of Somalia's path to elections in 2009 by facilitating the exchange of views necessary for lasting peace and stability", said Zimmer.

Somalia, is dangerous to be a journalist

Last year, Somalia has experienced it worst attacks against media community. Losing eight in what many considered as direct assassinations in the country, nearly 50 journalists went exile in neighboring countries mainly Kenya and Djibouti.

A report of Amnesty international stated that Somalia is one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist in the globe. The report says �the attacks on journalists and on the media, particularly in the last six months, appear to be part of systematic attempts by all parts of the conflict to restrict freedom of expression in Somalia.

Amnesty international urged the international community to use all its pressure to stop the violations against media outlets and journalists in Somalia, recommending sanctions on individuals and organizations.

The report said �we urge the international community to ensure that individuals and organizations that perpetrated human rights violations, such as the National Security Agency are excluded the international funded support and training.

Source: SomaliNet

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