Hague, 30 March 2011 – The chairman of Hayaan Media Development, Ali Dahir Eid, has today welcomed the release of Radio Shabelle editors and called for the warring sides to respect the freedom of the media in the Horn of Africa nation.

Editors Abdi Mohamed Ismael and Abdirashid Omar Qase were arrested four days ago for reporting “inaccurate news” that Somali President, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, had not visited locations captured by the Somali forces and their allied peacekeepers from Al-shabaab militants.

“We knew they were innocent and we welcome the good news that they have their freedom back after interrogation by the security agencies” Eid said in statement

“It is necessary both the government and the rebels end violence against journalists and respect the media work of informing citizens since we all believe that only informed citizens will reach constructive decisions”

Eid said the Information ministry’s intolerance of editorial independence of media out-lets in the country reflect authoritarian style of repression.

Somalia which has been mired by anarchy in two decades after warlords deposed Mohamed Siyad Barre in 1991, is one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist, with dozens killed in the past four years and many others forced in exile.