Government forces close radio station in Mogadishu

Somalia government forces today stormed and then closed Jubba radio, a local FM station based in the government run block of the capital, RBC Radio reports. Ali Mohamad, a newscaster at Jubba Radio told RBC Radio that forces loyal to Wadajir district commiossioner Ahmed Da’i came into the radio’s compound, ordered them off the air and then detained three journalists. The detained journalists were reportedly arrested in Wadajir police station. “The exact reason for the closure of the radio is unclear,” Ali Mohamed added.

The closure of Jubba Radio, a newly set-up independent FM station, drew protests from the local press freedom groups but Somalia government officials have not yet given any comments.

(Source: RBC Radio via Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)