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NUSOJ condemns fresh attacks on media in Puntland, calls for respect for journalists’ freedom

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has today condemned fresh attacks on media freedom in Puntland, in north-eastern regions of Somalia, calling on Puntland authorities to end the attacks on media and respect journalists’ freedom who are simply doing their journalism job.

In a letter from the Puntland Ministry of Information, authorities barred Universal TV from 5th March 2017 to operate in regions controlled by Puntland authorities. The letter signed by Vice Minister of Information Mr Nur Ahmed Yusuf, accused Universal TV of “creating conflict between people and the government (Puntland), destabilising security of Puntland, familiarised to spreading false news and broadcasted news in contradiction of journalism ethics”. Puntland did not specify the period that the private television network is barred to operate in its regions.

Recently Puntland security officials warned against journalists working for independent media to “inflate” news about the mutiny by some members of Puntland armed forces who, because of lack of salary payment, locked down headquarters of Puntland parliament and temporary closed Garowe airport which reportedly led Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas to land at Bossasso airport instead of Garowe, the capital of Puntland. One senior security official told group of journalists in Bossasso that they “will face harsh consequences should they inflate and misreport these events.”

“We are seriously concerned by these fresh attacks on media rights. Puntland must rescind the order barring Universal TV to operate in Puntland regions because the barring has no legal basis and the accusations are preposterous,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

NUSOJ demanded Puntland officials, especially security officials, to cease from making intimidations against journalists and they must allow journalists to do their work freely without any retaliation from authorities.