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)