Journalists’ access to information is extremely limited across the country. Media professionals are harassed and blocked from accessing public buildings including the Lower House of the Federal Parliaments and other government organizations. Authorities— whether at the federal level or at the regional levels — continue to not initiate investigations into murders or attacks against journalists and media workers.
Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls on the federal and regional states of Somalia to respect the right to freedom of the press as outlined in the Provisional Federal Constitution. Protecting journalists and media freedom is an important pillar in cherishing information as a public good.
"Free press plays a vital role in informing citizens about public affairs and monitoring the actions of government at all levels. When journalists are threatened, attacked, detained and their media houses raided that means citizens will not have the right to raise key issues affecting state-building and rule of law, which are important for Somalia’s governance,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said "As we mark the World Press Freedom Day, today we reiterate our call for protection of free media in Somalia.”
The SJS further reminds Somali federal and regional authorities about their obligations to ensure that thorough and objective investigations are made of all cases of journalist killings, including the murder of the cameramanAbdirizak Kasim Imanwho was shot dead by a police officer in July 2018 in Mogadishu.
"On World Press Freedom Day, we call both federal and regional states to stop its security forces from attacking, detaining, harassing and obstructing journalists. Somalia’s international partners should use their good offices in pressing all levels of government officials to ensure that all those responsible for attacks, harassment, and threats against journalists are held to account,” added Mr. Mumin.(END)
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WPFD 2021: Press freedom under attack in the era of misinformation and threats in Somalia
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