The mainstream of Mogadishu Media, of news media outlets and press freedom organizations, cooperatively voiced today enormous concern about the worsening press freedom situation in the country as violations against media freedom reached highest level in 2006 for a decade. (03-JAN-07)
Based on an appeal from the Someli Press freedom observer, this article has been edited for republication here by HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz. Photo of Osman: HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz.
Representatives of the Mogadishu media talked about the immense importance of freedom of press, freedom opinion & speech, which are fundamental rights of human being that were affirmed in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The participants of the consultative meeting, organized by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), deeply debated on the State of Emergency that the Council of Ministers of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia resolved on 28 th December 2006 and the impact that it could have to the independent work of the media.
“It is our pleasure to host this representative and timely meeting of the leaders of the mainstream of the media outlets and press freedom organizations in Mogadishu to make consultations on the current situation in the country and ways to affirm press freedom” said Omar Faruk Osman, left, the Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists, in the opening. “Institutionally we see this meeting a constructive one, and we have to discuss frankly and openly the challenging issues that are facing us” said Mohammed Hassan Sahal, the Director of Radio Simba. “We have to have common position, and put something together,” Mohamed added.
The media representatives also deliberated the different tactics of restrictions, harassments and censorships that the different authorities in Mogadishu used to curb freedom of press to advance their political agendas. “We are the most victims as women journalists, but our problems are rarely heard due to fear and other restrictions,” said Mrs. Qamar Salad Omar, the chairlady of Somali Women Journalists Association (SOWJA). “Revealing Unity and solidarity are extremely important for us, particularly this crucial time” she told the participants. “Our media network fully supports this initiative of organizing this meeting, thanks to NUSOJ for the endeavor,” said Mohamed Amiin, Deputy Director of Shabelle Media Network. “Despite the hard time and problems before us, the participation of the majority of the media groups in Mogadishu makes the meeting valuable and strong”. “Now our voices can be by any authority”
At the end of the meeting, the media representatives resolved to:
1. Request the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to guarantee freedom of press as stipulated in the Transitional Federal Charter of Somalia.
2. Expose how we (participants) are worried about the violations against freedom of press that reached the highest level in the year 2006.
3. Request the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to protect the security of the media practitioners under the national and international laws, and any entity that breaches must be held accountable and brought to justice.
4. Appeal the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to desist any decision that can differ media freedom and the freedom of opinion & speech as stipulated in the Transitional Federal Charter of Somalia.
5. Reveal that all forms of direct and indirect censorship violate freedom of press.
6. Distinguish politics and professional journalism, since direct and indirect political interferences decline the quality of the independent media.
7. Request once more the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to make consultations with the media about any decision or legislation affecting media freedom and the freedom of opinion & speech.
8. Call upon the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to assure the freedom and the security of the foreign journalists and workers of the foreign news agencies operating in the country.
9. Call on the media to respect the international standards of journalism and the national interest.
