NUSOJ Calls for the Governor of Bari region of Puntland State of Somalia to Respect Press Freedom and Stop Harassment and Intimidation against the Media Professionals
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) supports the protests stages the media community in Bosaso on Thursday against ongoing threats and intimidations against the journalists by the governor of Bari region, Puntland State of Somalia and calls respect to media freedoms.
NUSOJ is concerned about the threats and the intimidations coming from the regional administration led by Governor Yusuf Mohamed Wacays “Dhado” whose administration was responsible on August 16th illegal; detention of journalist Ahmed Said, who writes for the independent Somali website, allcarmo.com.
The Journalist, Ahmed Said was attacked, badly beaten and then taken into custody for several hours by the police on 16 August, while covering a visit by the state’s health minister at Carmo Maternal and Child Care centre in Carmo district which is about 200kms from south of Bosasso town. Mr. Ahmed was released several hours later, but sustained minor injuries on head, neck and shoulder. His medical prescription shows wounds on his head and his neck.
Three days after the attack, Governor Yusuf Mohamed Wacays “Dhado” reportedly ordered police to arrest the journalist Ahmed again and police raided the journalist’s home in Bosasso but he was not there. The Local media stations that reported the attack against the journalists were given verbal warnings by the regional police attached to the governor.
NUSOJ sees such intimidations as very wicked and unacceptable in all manners and are against the work of the free press in Puntland and calls for the Puntland authorities to respect the media freedoms inline with the regional and federal constitutions and the local, regional and international conventions which Somalia is part of it.
“We are appalled by the attack on our colleague Ahmed Said and the intimidation and harassment against our colleagues in Bosaso.” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “The media professionals have the right to be given a safe environment where they can exercise their granted freedoms without fear.”
“Regional Governor of Bari should give utmost respect to the media professionals and inline with the Puntland consitution and that of the Federal Consitution.” Mr. Ibrahim added.
Garowe Court Dismisses Defamation Charges Against Sahan Radio:
A Court in Garowe has dismissed defamation charges against Sahan Radio, a community radio station based in Garowe, Puntland State of Somalia on 17 August, 2015. The case was filed by Puntland Ministry of Information on 12 August, 2015 accusing the radio station as anti-government following its coverage of the Puntland’s 17th anniversary celebrations.
NUSOJ joins its affiliate the Media Association in Puntland [MAP] to welcome the decision by the Nugaal Regional Court for completely dropping the charges against Radio Sahan.