Somalia government said that it got 40 social media accounts suspended after it accused them of disseminating pro-Al Shabaab propaganda.
Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Adala said at a press conference at the Ministry of Information that any media house or individual found spreading that group’s violent extremist ideology will also be targeted for removal.
“Any media house or individual found spreading that group’s message will be removed from social media at the request of the Somali government,” said the Minister.
The government also released a list of the social media accounts removed on Saturday. The federal government has for years ago issued an order prohibiting the amplification of al-Shabab voices, which the local media has followed. However, it is unclear whether the local press will comply by refraining from broadcasting the group’s attacks and images.
Minister added that the government’s war against al-Shabab is three-pronged: direct military, economic, and ideology. The deputy minister said the government is now focusing on destroying the centers that spread the group’s news and doctrine.
Al Shabaab has an active online footprint and has followed other militant groups in establishing mass media, social media and news media, despite Africa lagging far behind the rest of the world in terms of broadband connectivity, social media usage and overall media penetration.
The group uses its media affiliates to broadcast propaganda, death threats and calls to mobilization.
