Kismayo city, Thursday, November 17, 2022: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has convened a one-day Panel Discussion on freedom of expression and press freedom in Somalia held on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Rotana hotel in Kismayo city, Jubbaland State.

The panel discussion was planned to discuss freedom of expression and press freedom in Somalia, especially in the Jubbaland State of Somalia.
Abdullahi Abdirahman, the Secretary General of Jubbaland Journalists Association honoring FESOJ with opening the platform for discussing press freedom in Somalia, said, "The Jubbaland journalists should take advantage of the panel discussion on the theme of press freedom in Somalia since members from the civil society, prosecutor, members of the Parliament and journalists are present.”
In his introductory remarks, Farah Omar Nur, FESOJ Secretary-General, has spoken about the state of press freedom globally and in Somalia in particular.
"This panel discussion organized by FESOJ is the second of its type to be held in the major cities of the country. The intention is for the government authorities, police, judiciary, Parliament and civil society to be part of understanding the status of press freedom in Somalia and promote the journalists’ right to access information from the government and pass it to the public.” Farah Omar Nur, FESOJ Secretary-General pointed out in a brief opening speech.
Jubbaland State MP Foos Ali, a member of the Parliament media committee on her part has indicated the need to respect press freedom and has requested the journalists to work with the standard ethics of journalism.
"The Parliament supports and is committed to the implementation of the provisions in the constitution on freedom of speech and the press.” Foos Ali, Jubbaland State MP, added
"We follow the constraints journalists are facing, as civil society, we are aware the pressure they are experiencing .”Prof. Abdhullahi Sheikh Shaafici , Jubbaland Civil Society Umbrella pointed out.
Mohamed Sheikh Abdirahman, Jubbaland Attorney General, highlighted that the prosecutor’s office provides journalists the information they need monthly or every six months and indicated the reporters don’t need to follow up on incomplete information that is under court investigation.
Captain Shukri Farah Mohamed, Deputy Commander of Jubbaland Police Criminal Investigation Department, explained that they have a good relationship with the journalists and assist the media in their work.

Mohamed Sheikh Abdirahman, Jubbaland Attorney General, Foos Ali, Jubbaland MP, Captain Shukri Farah Mohamed, Deputy Commander of Jubbaland Police Criminal Investigation Department, Abdullahi Abdirahman Mohamed, Secretary General of Jubbaland Journalists Association and Prof. Abdullahi Sheikh Shaafici, Jubbaland Civil Society Umbrella were in attendance of the panel discussion program.
Thirty journalists and ten university students from the faculty of journalism were also key participants in the panel discussion.
The panel discussion focused on the challenges the journalists experience from accessing information, detention, and torture and how to address those challenges since authorities from the police, office of the attorney general and other leaders were present during the panel discussions.
The journalists asked the participating authorities how the reporters could easily access information from the securities agencies. All the officials have acknowledged the important role of journalists and have pledged to work closely with the journalists so they can transfer official information to the public.
The journalists also appreciated the panel discussion event held by FESOJ in support of UNSOM.
In conclusion, following the discussions, a valuable suggestion was made, including a call on the Jubbaland State authorities to put in place a helpful system to safeguard and strengthen press freedom, protection for the media and access to information for the media and the general public.

END