Baidoa (SD) – The deputy District Commissioner of Barawe town, the capital of Southwest State of Somalia Abdikarim Sheikh Ali ordered in an interview that radio Barawe FM to stop broadcasting local dialect known as Chemini or Af-Barawani and warned if they don’t obey the order from local authority, they will face severe consequences.

The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) condemns in the strongest possible terms the decision of Barawe local authority banned local journalists to broadcast Barawe FM radio with their local dialect which seems direct censorship undermining the rights of local communities to profess, enjoy and practice their own local dialect and the right the public to understand health messages related to COVID-19

FESOJ to seek further clarification on the ban imposed on Radio Barawe journalists had contacted Barawe district commissioner Omar Sheikh Sheikh Abdi, who referred the decision and the order is from the Ministry of Information of South West state.

Radio Barawe runs very interactive programs in which young people are engaged and interested such as Barbaarta program or Youth program where young people exchange their ideas and social life and the other popular Morning Show which is a widely listened and gained huge audience.

Recently, the Federal government police have arrested VOA reporter Mukhtar Mohamed Atosh for claiming wrongfully reporting on a rape case in the Bay region.