Radio reporter shot by militia dies of injuries, fourth journalist to be killed this year

Reporters Without Borders expressed shock and deep sadness at the news of the death today of journalist Nur Muse Hussein of Radio Voice of Holy Quran as a result of a bullet wound he received on 20 April. The journalist’s death was announced by the worldwide press freedom organisation’s partner organisation, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). He was the fourth to be killed in Somalia this year. Muse Hussein, aged 56, was shot in the leg as he and three colleagues were covering clashes between pro-government militia of the Hiran region and members of the Islamist Hisbul Islam movement operating in the south and centre of the country. Fighters opened fire after they introduced themselves as journalists in the town of Beledweyne about 300 km north of the capital Mogadishu. “We offer the journalist’s family and staff on Radio Voice of Holy Quran our heartfelt condolences,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We also remind the authorities of the urgent need to protect journalists in this particularly dangerous country. Everything must be done to discourage criminals from attacking journalists as soon as they identify themselves as such,” it added. Muse Hussein’s widow said that the journalist had remained in a serious condition until last week when his condition suddenly deteriorated. He was the father of five children. The other journalists who have lost their lives in 2009 were: Abdirisak Warsameh Mohamed and Hassan Mayow Hassan of Radio Shabelle and Said Tahlil, director of Radio HornAfrik. Thirteen journalists have been killed in Somalia since 2007, making it Africa’s deadliest country for the media.