MOGADISHU, Somalia — Colleagues say a Somali journalist was shot to death in northern Somalia, bringing the number of journalists killed in Somalia this year to 16.

Ahmed Farah Sakin, a reporter for the Somali television station Universal was shot by gunmen around 9 p.m. Tuesday in the town of Lasanod in the breakaway region of Somaliland.

The death was confirmed Wednesday by Abdullahi Ahmed Nor, a colleague. Nor said the death was part of an "anti-media" campaign in the country.

Somalia has been one of the most dangerous places to operate as a journalist this year. Mogadishu is far safer than it was in previous years, since al-Shabab rebels were forced out of the city.

But a campaign targeting journalists has accelerated this year. No suspects have been arrested in the killings.