Mogadishu, 29 April 2017 – National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) expressed its compliment to the Minister of Information and Public Awareness, HE. Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow) who received today Media Leaders at his office in Mogadishu.

NUSOJ and the Media Leaders discussed the importance of an amendment to be made to Somali Media Law in order to make it one thatworkswiththesatisfaction of all parties.

"The Media had concerns over a number of articles in the Media Law that was seen as draconian and not acceptable to the media. We would like the minister to fulfill his promise that Media Lawwillreviewedandamended through a consultation with the Minister of Information and Public Awareness.” Said Secretary General of NUSOJ, Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu.

HE Minister Eng. Yarisow said” I have listened to the concerns of the media leaders towards a number of articles in the Media Law and promised them that these articles will be reviewed as soon as possible in order to make them more agreeable. The Media Law is already in effect as it had been signedbyformerpresidentof Somalia inJanuary,2016. We now give consideration to the proposed amendment by the Media.

Media Leaders present at the meeting welcomed the minister’s expression of interest towards reviewing the Media Law and said that they would consult with their other fellow Journalists in order to submit in writing the changes Somali Media proposes to be made on the current presidentially signed Media Law.

Minister Eng.Yarisow, addedthat the amendments will be consulted with Human Rights Organizations, the Ministry of Human Rights, Parliament Committee on Media and Human Rights in order to make sure the Media Law will be fully compatible with the International Laws of Human Rights.

Mohamed IbrahimMoalimu, NUSOJ Secretary General pointed out that cooperation between the Ministry of Information and the Media is key to progressive Somalia and welcomed the consultations the minister decided to launch in order to have a collective consent for a National Media Law with the satisfaction of all parties.

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©2017 National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) | MakaAlmukaramaroad,Waberi,Mogadishu,Somalia