NUSOJ welcomes Amnesty International report on attacks against Somali journalists

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes Amnesty International’s latest publication on Somalia, which focuses on journalists’ working conditions in the country, under the title "Hard news : Journalists’ lives in danger in Somalia".

The Amnesty report highlights explicitly the current dangerous and difficult situation in which Somali journalists find themselves, especially the attacks against journalists by both the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Al-Shabaab extremists.

"Journalists in Somalia are being oppressed by all armed groups and have been refused space to operate and carry out their work independently and fearlessly. This report details exactly what happens in our country, committed by warring sides that use the power of the gun against journalists. The Transitional Federal Government and armed groups cited in this report should look at the report constructively and implement its recommendations instead of living in denial like the TFG is trying to do," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ secretary general.

NUSOJ can confidently confirm the cases mentioned in the report as they have been reported by the union, news media organisations and the local human rights community. "It is no secret that the TFG forces threatened and arrested journalists in June this year. The connection as well as the level at which armed security forces take, respect and implement the orders issued by ministers and other TFG operatives has been indisputably disorderly and inconsistent," added Omar Faruk.

"While the TFG has condemned the actions of its forces against the press, we would like to know what measures they have put in place to guarantee that such actions will not be repeated. There is no justification for the arrest of a journalist in a war zone," he added.

NUSOJ particularly calls on the TFG to make use of the goodwill and trust of the Somali people to provide solutions to the country’s problems and to genuinely earn the support of the international community by focusing on and correcting its mistakes, which include attacks against press freedom by its security agents.

"The TFG must not be oblivious to its duties and responsibilities. We expect them to investigate the officers involved in these attacks against journalists and to take immediate remedial action," added Omar Faruk. "Living in denial and taking a defensive position in this matter would be viewed as an attempt to dismiss plausible reports of press freedom violations, and may be interpreted as a TFG policy encouraging press freedom violations."

It is also very surprising that the minister of information has dismissed claims by journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Isak that his life is in danger, even after officials from the ministry of information, accompanied by presidential security guards, attempted to arrest him.

On 17 June 2010, after the "New York Times" published a story by Mohamed Ibrahim Isak accusing the TFG of employing child soldiers, Radio Mogadishu held a talk show in which a ministry of information spokesman, Abdirisaq Qeylow, harangued the newspaper and its journalists, insinuating they had links with terrorist organizations like Al-Shabaab. This is a state-run radio station which carries a huge responsibility to the public.

"It is disappointing that public radio is being used for partisan reasons and to attack journalists who were just performing their duties. Radio Mogadishu cannot be used to denigrate journalists," said Omar Faruk. "We expect Radio Mogadishu to exercise professionalism, show responsibility and be open to all Somali citizens, including all politicians who do not call for violence and hate."

On 18 June, officials from the presidential palace, the police, the intelligence agency and the ministry of information met in Villa Somalia. The ministry of information was represented by Abdirahim Isse Addow, the presidential palace was represented by Abdulkarim, who is the presidential chief of staff, and Abdirashid Hashi, who is the communications officer. General Gaafow, the head of immigration, and officials from the Somali military, including the deputy chief of staff, also attended the meeting. They reportedly discussed the best way to handle "New York Times" journalists in the country.

On 24 June, a press conference co-organized by the ministry of information and the presidential palace was held at Villa Somalia. At the press conference, they made it public that "anyone who was involved in the publishing of a story on the child soldiers had links with the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab and would be brought before the courts."

SOURCE : National Union of Somali Journalists

For more information :
National Union of Somali Journalists
1st Floor, Human Rights House
Taleex Street, KM4 Area, Hodan District
Mogadishu
Somalia
nusoj (@) nusoj.org
Phone : +252 1 859 944
Fax : +252 1 859 944
National Union of Somali Journalists
http://www.nusoj.org/

Source from IFEX