Shabelle Media Network

Shabelle Media Network (SMN) is a radio and television news organization based in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Shabelle Media Network
Country
Somalia
Availability101.5 mhz/Somalia
HeadquartersMogadishu
AreaDegmada Hodan, Ex Arwada (Taleeh)
OwnerAbdimaalik Yusuf Banna
Key people
Abuukar Sheikh Mohamud (General Director)[1]
Established2002
Launch date
6 May 2002
Official website
www.shabelle.net

History

The Shabelle Media Network was founded in 2002 in Merca, Somalia by a group of young Somali intellectuals. Its mission was to ensure that Somalis around the world remain abreast of developments within the Somali community and in touch with each other.[2]

The network's first phase was focused on airing to Africa, Asia and Australia via Thaicom 3 satellite. In 2005, it expanded to include satellite broadcasts to North America and Europe.[2]

SMN's Radio Shabelle slowly grew to become one of Somalia's most respected privately owned radio stations,[3] airing from 6 a.m. to midnight.[4] It later relocated its headquarters to the national capital, Mogadishu.[2]

Prior to Mogadishu's pacification by the Somali National Army in mid-2011, the independent Radio Shabelle, among other Somali media outlets, was frequently targeted by Islamist militants.[5] Among the casualties during this most volatile 2007-2011 period was Radio Shabelle's acting manager, Bashir Nur Gedi, who was killed on October 19, 2007. In 2009, the station's director Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe was also assassinated.[6]

After their ouster, the insurgents resorted to issuing death threats and targeted assassinations in order to discourage reporting on their activities.[7] Due to frustration at the increasing number of expatriate journalists returning to the capital after the relative improvement in security, the militants in 2012 intensified their anti-media campaign,[8] killing four SMN reporters during the year, including director Hassan Osman Abdi.[9]

Despite the attempted intimidation, journalists have persisted in covering the war beat.[7] Through membership in the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), reporters are also spearheading a governmental initiative to reform the 2007 Somali media law.[10]

Services

SMN broadcasts news, business, analysis, culture and sports items via its radio and television network. It airs its own programs and documentaries through both terrestrial and satellite transmissions. The organization also reports on domestic peace initiatives and conferences, provides a platform for the discussion of issues of interest to the Somali community, and offers call-in services wherein listeners and/or viewers can interact with program participants.[1]

Shabelle Media Network's main target audience is the Somali community, both within the Horn of Africa and abroad. Its broadcasts are also geared toward local policy makers and international stakeholders.[1]

Awards

In 2010, Radio Shabelle was awarded the Media of the Year prize by the Paris-based journalism organization, Reporters Without Borders (RSF).[3]

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See also
  • List of journalists killed during the Somali civil war
  • Media of Somalia

References
  1. "Shabelle Media Network". InsideView. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  2. Sennitt, Andy (April 30, 2005). "New Somali satellite TV station launched". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Archived from the original on June 2006. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  3. Press Freedom Prize goes to Somali radio station Radio Shabelle
  4. Liohn, di Andre' (2012-02-05). "'Qui Radio Shabelle, aiutateci': L'ultimo appello di un giornalista libero". Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  5. "Timeline:Attacks on journalists in Somalia |". Reuters (UK). 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  6. "Media Executive of Prominent Radio Station Assassinated in Mogadishu" Archived 2007-10-22 at the Wayback Machine, Shabelle.net
  7. "Somali journalists persist in their profession despite risks". Hiiraan.com. 2012-09-01. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  8. "4 Journalists Killed in Somalia in 24 Hours". Voice of America. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  9. "46 Journalists Killed in Somalia since 1992/Motive Confirmed". Committee to Protect Journalists. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  10. "Consultative Workshop on the Draft Somali Media Law held in Mogadishu". Raxanreeb. 18 April 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
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