Shabelle Media Network

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.{{cite news|first=Andy |last=Sennitt |title=New Somali satellite TV station launched |publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide |date=April 30, 2005 |accessdate=2013-04-18 |url=http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/new-somali-satellite-tv-station-launched |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201051112/http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/new-somali-satellite-tv-station-launched |archive-date=2012-12-01}}

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.

SMN's Radio Shabelle slowly grew to become one of Somalia's most respected privately owned radio stations, airing from 6 a.m. to midnight.{{cite news|first=di Andre' |last=Liohn |title='Qui Radio Shabelle, aiutateci': L'ultimo appello di un giornalista libero |date=2012-02-05 |accessdate=2013-04-16 |url= http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2012/02/05/news/radio_shabelle-29385278/ |work=Repubblica}} It later relocated its headquarters to the national capital, Mogadishu.

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.{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL4378522 |title=Timeline:Attacks on journalists in Somalia |publisher=Reuters (UK)|date=2009-02-04 |accessdate=2012-10-19}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Among the casualties during this most volatile 2007 to 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.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071022042527/http://shabelle.net/news/ne3871.htm "Media Executive of Prominent Radio Station Assassinated in Mogadishu"]}}, Shabelle.net

After their ouster, the insurgents resorted to issuing death threats and targeted assassinations in order to discourage reporting on their activities.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2012/Sept/25799/somali_journalists_persist_in_their_profession_despite_risks.aspx |title=Somali journalists persist in their profession despite risks |publisher=Hiiraan.com |date=2012-09-01 |accessdate=2012-10-19}} 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,{{cite news|publisher=Voice of America|title=4 Journalists Killed in Somalia in 24 Hours|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/four-journalists-killed-in-somalia-in-24-hours/1512442.html|date=2012-09-21|access-date=2012-09-23}} killing four SMN reporters during the year, including director Hassan Osman Abdi.{{cite web|url=http://cpj.org/killed/africa/somalia/|title=46 Journalists Killed in Somalia since 1992/Motive Confirmed |publisher=Committee to Protect Journalists|date=2012-10-19 |accessdate=2012-10-19}}

Despite the attempted intimidation, journalists have persisted in covering the war beat. Through membership in the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), reporters are also spearheading a governmental initiative to reform the 2007 Somali media law.{{cite news|title=Consultative Workshop on the Draft Somali Media Law held in Mogadishu|url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2013/03/somalia-consultative-workshop-on-the-draft-somali-media-law-held-in-mogadishu/|accessdate=27 March 2013|newspaper=Raxanreeb|date=18 April 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328202848/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2013/03/somalia-consultative-workshop-on-the-draft-somali-media-law-held-in-mogadishu/|archivedate=28 March 2013}}

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 or viewers can interact with program participants.{{cite web|title=Shabelle Media Network|url=http://www.insideview.com/directory/shabelle-media-network|publisher=InsideView|accessdate=18 April 2013}}

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.

In 2010, Radio Shabelle was awarded the Media of the Year prize by the Paris-based journalism organization, Reporters Without Borders (RSF).[https://web.archive.org/web/20101216022733/http://en.rsf.org/somalia-press-freedom-prize-goes-to-somali-10-12-2010,39003.html Press Freedom Prize goes to Somali radio station Radio Shabelle]

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

{{Reflist}}

• {{in lang|en}} Somali {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130222043832/http://www.shabelle.net/ Shabelle Media Network official site]}}

Category:Mass media companies of Somalia

Category:Mass media companies established in 2002

Category:2002 establishments in Somalia

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2002

Category:Mass media in Mogadishu