The Somali government’s published list of banned pro-militant websites on Saturday has unsettled the ranks of Al-Shabab militants in the country.
The insurgent group warned independent Somali media and journalists against obeying the government directive that banned use of media materials created by the group.
Government also suspended 40 social media accounts that spread pro-al-Shabab propaganda and warned Somali journalists that it would “regard all al-Shabab-related propaganda coverage – including their terrorist acts and their ideology – as punishable crimes”.
Al-Shabab 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.
The terror group 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 sympathy.