Emotional Tribute to Murdered Colleague, Somali Journalists express Palpable Sense of Shock in the Media Profession
Editors, reporters, producers and media directors from Somalia’s main towns of Mogadishu, Baidoa, Garowe, Galkayo, Beledweyn, Jowhar, Kismayu and Bardhere who gathered today in Djibouti for Safety Awareness Training Workshop organised by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) in partnership with the Brussels-based International News Safety Institute (INSI) paid emotional tribute to the Vice president of the National Union of Somali Journalists, Nasteh Dahir Farah, who was murdered for his right to practice journalistic profession on 7th June in Kismayu.
Nasteh Dahir Farah, who was fervent promoter of rights of Somali journalists and press freedom, at all times stressed the value of media professionals’ safety as he took part previous safety training held in Hargeisa in July 2007 by NUSOJ and INSI.
“Journalists work in the face of deadly threats and our colleague Nasteh Dahir received some of these threats” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “Criminals gunned down Nasteh, but his courageous mission did not die with him and will never stop”.
In a touching tribute, journalists holding his pictures condemned once more this act of senseless and brutal murder. Nasteh was courageous in carrying out his duties and never avoided from a challenge, even though he had been threatened twice before. Journalists, highlighting palpable sense of shock in the media profession, stated that free press and free expression are essential features of peaceful Somalia.
“The assassination of Nasteh Dahir Farah was contempt for human life, contempt for media freedom and contempt for the Somali people” Omar Faruk added.
INSI and NUSOJ are conducting in Djibouti Safety Awareness Training for up to 50 journalists.
