Media Release, Mogadishu, 15 June 2010

The Somali Ministry of Information condemns the restrictions imposed by the extremists on the Somali people who want to watch the Football World Cup.
 The Somali people, like everyone else in Africa, should be able to watch the tournament without fear of loss of life.  The recent killings by Al Shabab and Hisbul Islam highlight yet again their barbarism, brutality and intolerance of Somali culture and values.
The killing of Somalis for watching football is the latest in a long line of un-Somali and un-Islamic activities by the extremists.
Most recently, Al Shabab looted Somaliweyn radio located in Mogadishu in order to silence it. Other radios under Al Shabab control are constantly intimidated.
Last week, Shabelle radio managed to move safely from Bakara market to the TFG -controlled area of the city. The Ministry of Information and the Media House in Mogadishu are preparing projects to assist journalists in their attempts to broadcast freely.

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