20 April 2014
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is worried about the decision of Somaliland administration to intensify its campaign to suppress and intimidate Haatuf newspaper by blocking access to its news site www.haatuf.net in Somaliland after it closed down the newspaper on 7 April 2014.
The banning of the news site which also targeted news site of Haatuf’s sister paper www.somalilandtimes.net was reportedly ordered by Hargeisa’s Marodi Jeeh Regional Court on 16 April and internet service providers were ordered to executive, and was promptly effected.
“We condemn this ban on news sites which provide alternative sources of news and opinion, and call on Somaliland to stop Internet censorship against Haatuf and Somaliland Times,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
The blockage is the latest evidence of what independent media see as a clampdown on critical media and particularly the Internet, a platform for dissenting views.
“This internet censorship violates the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom of information of the people of Somaliland,” added Osman.
Both news sites, www.haatuf.net and www.somalilandtimes.net, have been publishing reports critical to Somaliland presidency and Ministers, even after the Haatuf newspaper was closed down.
On 7 April 2014, the shutdown order against the independent daily newspaper Haatuf was implemented by Somaliland police after being issued by Marodi Jeeh Regional Court in Hargeisa.
According to Haatuf newspaper, some hundred police forces came to the headquarters of the newspaper and ordered journalists and media workers to vacate. Police still occupy the premises of the newspaper.
It is widely believed that the closure of the newspaper was caused by its coverage of Somaliland ministers' activities. Haatuf recently published critical reports over “alleged corruption” by Somaliland's Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Hussein Abdi Duale. The newspaper also published reports concerning recent travel to Kenya by Somaliland's Minister of Interior, Ali Mohamed Waran Ade.
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is worried about the decision of Somaliland administration to intensify its campaign to suppress and intimidate Haatuf newspaper by blocking access to its news site www.haatuf.net in Somaliland after it closed down the newspaper on 7 April 2014.
The banning of the news site which also targeted news site of Haatuf’s sister paper www.somalilandtimes.net was reportedly ordered by Hargeisa’s Marodi Jeeh Regional Court on 16 April and internet service providers were ordered to executive, and was promptly effected.
“We condemn this ban on news sites which provide alternative sources of news and opinion, and call on Somaliland to stop Internet censorship against Haatuf and Somaliland Times,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
The blockage is the latest evidence of what independent media see as a clampdown on critical media and particularly the Internet, a platform for dissenting views.
“This internet censorship violates the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom of information of the people of Somaliland,” added Osman.
Both news sites, www.haatuf.net and www.somalilandtimes.net, have been publishing reports critical to Somaliland presidency and Ministers, even after the Haatuf newspaper was closed down.
On 7 April 2014, the shutdown order against the independent daily newspaper Haatuf was implemented by Somaliland police after being issued by Marodi Jeeh Regional Court in Hargeisa.
According to Haatuf newspaper, some hundred police forces came to the headquarters of the newspaper and ordered journalists and media workers to vacate. Police still occupy the premises of the newspaper.
It is widely believed that the closure of the newspaper was caused by its coverage of Somaliland ministers' activities. Haatuf recently published critical reports over “alleged corruption” by Somaliland's Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Hussein Abdi Duale. The newspaper also published reports concerning recent travel to Kenya by Somaliland's Minister of Interior, Ali Mohamed Waran Ade.