Somali minister reportedly says Radio Bar-Kulan illegal

Text of report by Somali independent Radio Gaalkacyo on 21 March

The justice minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Abdirahman Janaqow, says the opening of Radio Bar-Kulan is illegal.

The justice minister of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government has said that the recently-launched, UN-backed Radio Bar-Kulan is operating illegally in the country. The minister said the radio has no legal permission from the government of Somalia, adding that the new station cannot contribute to Somalia’s peace and security.

Speaking to the media in Mogadishu, the minister said his government was unaware of the radio and described it as illegal. He stated that the name of the radio [Bar-Kulan means "Meeting Place"] sounds as if military men are sharing information and news through the radio. The minister strongly condemned the radio, stressing that it always focuses on fighting in Somalia and that Somalis mostly hear about violence and gun battles from it.

The newly UN-backed Radio Bar-Kulan has only been on the air for two weeks [in fact, the station launched on 1 March].

(Source: Radio Gaalkacyo, Gaalkacyo, in Somali 1015 gmt 21 Mar 10 via BBC Monitoring)

Related story:
http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/new-radio-station-launches-broadcasts-to-somalia
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Puntland authorities reopen Radio Gaalkacyo

Text of report by Somali independent Radio Gaalkacyo on 17 November

Radio Gaalkacyo [in Gaalkacyo, the provincial town of Mudug Region, central Somalia] has resumed operations following a brief closure by police in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, but the radio director, Hassan Muhammad Jama (Jid-hun) remains in custody.
The decision to reopen the radio station was announced by Mudug regional commissioner Abdirizaq Darwish. He said the presidential decree issued recently was only instructing the arrest of the radio director and not the closure of the station.
Mr Darwish said Radio Gaalkacyo can resume its operations and has issued an apology to the radio’s staff over the misunderstanding of the president’s decree.
Somali Professional Journalists Association [SOPJA] based in Gaalkacyo has accused the Puntland regional administration of violating the freedom of the media and demanding that the media operate under an unsatisfactory system.
However, local residents have expressed concern over the arrest of the Radio Gaalkacyo director.
(Source: Radio Gaalkacyo, Gaalkacyo, in Somali 1015 gmt 17 Nov 08 via BBC Monitoring
R. Netherlands Media Network weblog)

earlier post from Nov. 17
Somalia: Radio Gaalkacyo closed down
Text report of report by Somali opposition Radio Voice of Mudug on 16 November The police of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland have closed down Radio Gaalkacyo, an independent radio station that operates in Gaalkacyo [HQ of Mudug Region], and arrested its director Hasan Muhammad Jama. Sources say the radio was closed down after airing programmes and reports about the forthcoming Puntland presidential elections and having special interviews with candidates. Reports also say Radio Gaalkacyo’s highlighting of the Puntland electoral commission could have led to the closure.
The closure of Radio Gaalkacyo and the arrest of its director have coincided with the arrival of the Puntland president Mahmud Muse [Gen Adde] and his entourage in Gaalkacyo town. The president will be overnight there campaigning. The Puntland regional administration has been accused of pressurizing and violating media freedom in the region.
(Source: Radio Voice of Mudug, in Somali 1330 gmt 16 Nov 08 via BBC Monitoring)
Andy Sennitt adds: This station, formerly known as Radio Free Somalia, was for a time also on shortwave. Its website also appears to have been closed.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)