Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 26
Political Influences: 36
Economic Pressures: 26
Total Score: 88
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 46
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Somali (85 percent), other, including Bantu and Arab (15 percent)
Capital: Mogadishu
In this country without laws or a central government, ruled by warlord fiefdoms, communications are the mouthpieces of businessmen, militias, clans, or regional governments. A Transitional Charter provided for freedom of the press but since the Transitional National Government had little power it could not protect the media. HornAfrik, the major radio and television broadcaster, carries BBC reports. Barakaat, a money-transfer agent that became a bank, built the largest telecommunications network. In December, however, the United States labeled it a terrorist organization and shut down Barakaat's money flow. The United States shut down the Somalian Internet Company, the country's only Internet provider.
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