This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6266311.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Somali broadcasters in ban talks Somalia reverses broadcaster ban
(about 1 hour later)
Somalia's main broadcasters are holding discussions with the government about their ban from broadcasting. Somalia's main broadcasters have been allowed to resume operations a day after they were banned.
Three top Somali radio stations and al-Jazeera TV were ordered to close to end "chaos" in the capital. The reversal follows a meeting between media executives from three radio stations and the interim government. Al-Jazeera TV can also resume work.
Insecurity has been on the rise in Mogadishu since the president returned last week, after Islamists were routed. The government had accused the stations of instigating violence, amid accusations they were biased in favour of the ousted Islamist group.
The government is trying to assert its control of the country.
Meanwhile demonstrations have been held in Somaliland about comments by the interim Somali leader that he views the breakaway region as part of Somalia.Meanwhile demonstrations have been held in Somaliland about comments by the interim Somali leader that he views the breakaway region as part of Somalia.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia after the overthrow of dictator Siad Barre in 1991, since when the country has been without an effective national government.Somaliland declared independence from Somalia after the overthrow of dictator Siad Barre in 1991, since when the country has been without an effective national government.
Transitional President Abdullahi Yusuf was elected at peace talks two years ago, but has been powerless until Ethiopian forces helped drive out Islamist militia. Transitional President Abdullahi Yusuf was elected at peace talks two years ago, but was powerless until Ethiopian forces helped drive out the Islamists.
TensionTension
The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan says four of Mogadishu's seven radio stations are still broadcasting. Correspondents say the radio stations - Shabelle Radio, Radio HornAfrik and Voice of the Koran radio - are already back on air.
After years operating in a difficult environment to be closed down when you hope there will be stability coming soon is quite amazing Journalist Ahmed AbdisalamAfter years operating in a difficult environment to be closed down when you hope there will be stability coming soon is quite amazing Journalist Ahmed Abdisalam
But the three local radio stations - Shabelle Radio, Radio HornAfrik and Voice of the Koran radio - which received a letter, signed by Mogadishu security chief Colonel Ahmed Hassan Ali, ordering them to close immediately are still shut. "The government reversed the ban," Ali Iman Sharmarke, co-owner of HornAfrik, told Reuters news agency.
HornAfrik also rebroadcasts BBC World Service programmes, but these can still be heard on a BBC relay station in the capital. "The international media and international organisations, especially the ones who work to protect the media, played a major role in the lifting of this ban."
Our correspondent says the broadcasters are in a meeting with the authorities to discuss their future.
There are reports that the government is to start publishing its own paper. It already has a website, and two radio stations - Voice of the Republic - broadcasting in Baidoa and Mogadishu.There are reports that the government is to start publishing its own paper. It already has a website, and two radio stations - Voice of the Republic - broadcasting in Baidoa and Mogadishu.
'Strict rules' Earlier, HornAfrik journalist Ahmed Abdisalam said the ban was surprising and dismissed claims that his station was sympathetic to the ousted Union of Islamic Courts.
HornAfrik journalist Ahmed Abdisalam said the move was surprising and dismissed claims that his station was sympathetic to the ousted Union of Islamic Courts. "After seven years of operating in a very difficult environment to be closed down when you hope that there will be stability coming soon to Somalia is quite amazing," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"We are very alarmed and very concerned about the trend the government is taking... in trying to silence the people," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"After seven years of operating in a very difficult environment to be closed down when you hope that there will be stability coming soon to Somalia is quite amazing."
He said during the Islamists' six-month rule there was a lot of tension between the media and the courts - the media was given strict rules to follow which were negotiated between the two sides.He said during the Islamists' six-month rule there was a lot of tension between the media and the courts - the media was given strict rules to follow which were negotiated between the two sides.
But government spokesman Abduraman Dinari told a local radio station that those affected were "instigating violence", AFP reports.
"We are not undermining the freedom of expression, we are ensuring the security of the Somali people," he said.
Martial lawMartial law
The angry protests staged in Somaliland's main towns on Tuesday come after remarks by President Yusuf that, in his mind, he sees Somaliland as part of Somalia.The angry protests staged in Somaliland's main towns on Tuesday come after remarks by President Yusuf that, in his mind, he sees Somaliland as part of Somalia.
President Yusuf is trying to assert his authority on Mogadishu
For years Somaliland has been campaigning to win support for its claim to be a sovereign state.For years Somaliland has been campaigning to win support for its claim to be a sovereign state.
And Somalilanders, who have escaped much of the chaos and violence that have plagued Somalia, are fiercely opposed to any talk of reuniting with their lawless neighbour.And Somalilanders, who have escaped much of the chaos and violence that have plagued Somalia, are fiercely opposed to any talk of reuniting with their lawless neighbour.
Over the weekend, the Somali interim parliament - based in Baidoa - authorised the government to impose martial law in Mogadishu.Over the weekend, the Somali interim parliament - based in Baidoa - authorised the government to impose martial law in Mogadishu.
Escalating violence comes as an African Union delegation is in the city to discuss the deployment of peacekeepers.Escalating violence comes as an African Union delegation is in the city to discuss the deployment of peacekeepers.
Ethiopia says it wants its forces to pull out within weeks.Ethiopia says it wants its forces to pull out within weeks.
Over the weekend, the regional body, Igad, sent envoys to seven African countries, asking them to contribute to a proposed 8,000-strong peacekeeping force - Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Tunisia and Algeria.Over the weekend, the regional body, Igad, sent envoys to seven African countries, asking them to contribute to a proposed 8,000-strong peacekeeping force - Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Tunisia and Algeria.
So far only Uganda has offered troops - 1,500 - although it needs parliamentary approval.So far only Uganda has offered troops - 1,500 - although it needs parliamentary approval.