Islamist militant group al-Shabaab has warned independent Somali media and journalists against obeying a government directive that banned use of media materials created by the group.
The government published a list of banned pro-militant websites on Saturday and asked internet service providers to block them.
It also suspended 40 social media accounts that spread al-Shabaab propaganda and warned Somali journalists that it would “regard all al-Shabaab-related propaganda coverage – including their terrorist acts and their ideology – as punishable crimes”.
In response, al-Shabaab issued a statement accusing the government of a campaign “to silence the truth”.
The group also warned internet providers against blocking its affiliated media outlets.
Al-Shabaab has a sophisticated media machinery that includes several affiliated media outlets and dozens of accounts across social media platforms.
The group’s outlets produce a daily mix of audio, text and video material containing the group’s activities and messages that are aimed at winning public support.
