Press watchdog slams Somalia media shutdown

MOGADISHU, Jun 7 (Reuters) A press freedom watchdog today condemned the Somali government's closure of three independent broadcasters accused of supporting terrorism, saying the authorities' allegations were unproven.

HornAfrik, Shabelle and Koranic radio station IQK were shut down yesterday for the second time in six months on charges of supporting terrorism, violating the freedom of the press and opposing the Horn of Africa nation's interim government.

''The authorities hbave silenced important, independent voices on the basis of unsubstantiated accusations,'' Joel Simon, head of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a statement.

''We call on the Somali transitional government to allow these broadcasters back on the air immediately.'' The broadcasters were temporarily closed when similar accusations were made in January, just weeks after the Somali government and its Ethiopian military allies seized the capital Mogadishu from a rival Islamist movement.

The latest shutdown came amid a virulent rebellion blamed on remnants of the Islamist group who have vowed to wage an ''Iraq-style'' insurgency against the government and Ethiopians.

Dozens of guerrilla attacks have rocked the seaside capital, spreading fear and confusion.

HornAfrik has accused the government--chaotic Somalia's 14th attempt at central rule since 1991 -- of intentionally firing artillery shells at its offices during battles with the insurgents. The government denies it.

REUTERS gl ht1612