ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AFP)–Media freedom watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday condemned a growing crackdown on independent media by authorities of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland.
Two journalists of private Radio Horyaal were detained and a television station banned from broadcasting last week on accusation of inciting violence, the group said in a statement.
“As the September elections approach, it appears the Somaliland authorities are attempting to silence critical reporting,” said Tom Rhodes, CPJ’s Africa coordinator.
Somalia is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists. Media houses have been routinely shut down by the authorities and many reporters, Somali and foreign, have been kidnapped by armed groups.
Source: Nasdaq
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 07-23-09
