Press Statement Mogadishu- Monday 19 August, 2019 FESOJ organizes a meeting on strengthening security agencies and media relations for the safety of journalists and access of information.
During the discussion, participants were taken through thematic topics on how to communicate with the media; operational safety procedures when dealing with the journalists and freedom of expression; and how security forces can ensure that journalists can access the information they need to pass the public. In his opening remarks the Secretary General of Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu said it is fundamental human right to ask for, and receive, information held by public organizations and government bodies , it is therefore imperative that the security agencies allow journalists to carry out their work freely by providing information that the public needs to know. Journalists got an opportunity to interact and ask direct questions regarding their safety and security with the police officers and other government officials attended the meeting, particularly on the daily challenges they come across during news gathering in the city or outskirts of Mogadishu. Directors of Goobjoog and Dalsan media groups Hassan Mohamud and Hassan Ali Gesey have both emphasized the concerns of the journalists and underlined that it is quite necessary for the Federal Government of Somalia to provide the media with the necessary information they need before it is too late because if the government does not speak out the right moment there may be other parties providing information to the media which they may later made unhappy with the government. Abdinur Mohamed Ahmed the Communication Director of Somalia President responding question from journalists and civil society groups said "The safety of journalists can be guaranteed when our security agencies and the media understand that their respective roles remain key to the progress of our nation. We will work together to sustain close collaboration between the pen and Police to make covering Somalia a pleasure” "General Abdulahi Hassan Bariise, who has been one of the top police officers working in Mogadishu for the past 15 years blamed and pointed the finger to some young journalists for doing sudden & serious rush to the crime scenes just to cover an incident ,blast or a terror attack and may pose threat themselves because the area isn’t yet secured or there may be unexploded materials at the scene ,moreover he said media disturb forensics investigation methods for explosive devices and site engaged The meeting was closed by the President of FESOJ Abdi r Abdulkadir Elmi who thanked the participants for their frank discussion of key issues affecting media freedom and access to information. Sine the relationship between the media and security agencies, including those in the law enforcement and intelligence services, has always been a delicate one in Somalia and often characterized by frequent clashes, arising from a somewhat startling inability of either side to fully appreciate the role of the other in society, in n conclusion it was agreed that such meetings should be continued to lead for real cooperation and both sides should come up and establish a taskforce for further dialogues. End. |
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©2019 Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) | Maka Almukarama road ,Waberi ,Mogadishu ,Somalia |
Press Statement Mogadishu- Monday 19 August, 2019 FESOJ organizes a meeting on strengthening security agencies and media relations for the safety of journalists and access of information.
Federation of Somali Journalists FESOJ, in cooperation with the European Mission to Somalia under the project of Our Right to Know organized one-day meeting on Council of Peace in Mogadishu titled "Strengthening security agencies and media relat