Shabelle Radio also known as Shabelle Media Network has been moved from its headquarters in Bakaro market in Mogadishu, sources said today. Shabelle Media Network, which broadcasts its news and programmes through FM radio and television in the Somali capital, has been operating in Bakro market for the last eight years.
Sources say the management of the station decided to move from its headquarters in Bakaro to a building near Aden Adde international airport in Mogadishu under the control of the Somali government. The equipment was moved from Bakaro at midnight on Tuesday secretly to avoid harassments from the rebel groups that control the market.
Shabelle complied with orders from the rebel groups about stopping airing music and songs. Other sources say al Shabaab wanted to take over the radio station and make an insurgent run radio station like they did to those FM radio stations in Kismayo.
Two directors of the radio station, Bashir Nur Gedi and Muktar Mohamed Hirabe, were killed in Bakaro by suspected al Shabaab militias. Three reporters of the station were also killed in 2009.
(Source: Mareeg Online)
