There is conflicting information about the shooting, which took place near a security checkpoint in north Galkayo Tuesday night.
The journalist, Mohamed Yasin Ishaq, says a police officer fired after the reporter had been searched and cleared past the checkpoint. Ishaq says he suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.
Puntland police Colonel Muse Ahmed Abdirahman says the officer opened fire after the reporter's driving raised concerns he may be a suicide bomber.
Ishaq contends the shooting may be connected to tensions between Puntland officials and journalists working in the region.
In an interview with VOA, Abdirahman called that charge "baseless" and said Puntland police have "good relations" with journalists.
In October, Puntland's regional authority imposed a temporary ban on VOA reporting and broadcasts, after accusing the U.S. government-funded agency of producing "negative" reports that caused instability.
