Nasteh Dahir Farah assassinated 2008

A recent report by the National Union of Somali Journalists documents the ongoing oppression of and attacks on journalists and other media workers. The NUSOJ has recorded numerous cases of attacks against media professionals and news media organisations particularly in Kismayu, Mogadishu, Galkayo, Bossasso, Baidoa, Beledweyne.

Summary of statement of National Union of Somali Journalists

Posted 31 July 2008 The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) recorded numerous cases of attacks against media professionals and news media organisations particularly in Kismayu, Mogadishu, Galkayo, Bossasso, Baidoa, Beledweyne and Jowhar.

Journalist Hassan Kafi Hared was killed in Kismayo in January 2008, while his colleague Nasteh Dahir Farah, the Vice President of NUSOJ, was viciously and ruthlessly assassinated after four months in the same town. The perpetrators of these monstrous crimes were not punished and impunity is broadly prevailing in Somalia as these two most recent killings had deep impact in the hearts of Somali journalists.

Journalists were caught in an iron grip between the different parties to the conflict in southern regions. Repressive practices against journalists intensified and diversified in the past six months, though the number of killings in the first half of 2007 is more than those of this year.

Nine (9) journalists and three (3) other media workers were subjectively arrested in Mogadishu (4), Baidoa (3), Beledweyne (1), Jowhar (1) and Bossasso (3) as part of arbitrary nature of weakening courageousness and energy of journalists to tell the story for their people in fair and independent manner. These media people were not given enough explanations regarding the reasons for their detention.

5 media houses in Mogadishu and Beledweyne were briefly shutdown in the past six months as part of sophisticated intimidations. Some of the media managers called these moves as being a manoeuvre by the government to silence them, and to erode the role of private media.

Due to national and global outcry of attacks against media in Somalia for the year 2007, warring sides in south-central regions implemented pernicious tactics of terrorising journalists through phone calls and face-to-face interactions. At least 23 journalists were threatened to death in Baidoa, Mogadishu, Jowhar, Galkayo and Bossasso but some of these journalists were plainly ordered not to report such cases by the attackers, otherwise they would be killed. These journalists were told diverse accusations such as disseminating false information, undermining security, waging war against the authorities or cooperating with terrorists. Media managers were also subjected to various pressures as well as political and financial inducements to conceal certain information.

Aside from the assassination of Nasteh Dahir Farah, other union officials had to continue their activities in a tremendously tense climate because of their dedication to the promotion and protection of rights and interests of journalists.

Four journalists, two in Garowe and two in Mogadishu, whose independent reporting were not liked by Puntland authorities and officials of the Transitional Federal Government, were subjected to threats and severe hindrances to their journalistic tasks, particularly the offices of these two authorities.

The media law that was passed in December 2007 was not fundamentally reviewed and became applicable. The law has manifold legislative restrictions aiming at controlling and paralysing the privately owned media. It has also strict conditions for registration and broad interference from the Ministry of Information.

In relation to this media law, the Ministry of Information has extensive powers to nterfere in National Media Council, approve and disapprove its members and therefore contributes to continuing a strict control over media organisations.

Journalist Mohammed Shidane Daban, who was arrested from Adan Adde International Airport in Mogadishu while travelling to abroad, was released after detaining him 115 days.

The Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia publicly condemned on 24 July 2008 the attacks against journalists and humanitarian aid workers. The parliament demanded from the government to investigate attacks against media and aid workers and punish perpetrators.

Journalists disseminating information about leadership wrangles in Puntland were violently repressed. Renowned woman journalist was frequently threatened. Since the start of this year 11 journalists fled from their homes, 6 from Kismayu and 5 from Puntland.

There was no significant progress in the first half of 2008. Journalists are still widely vulnerable to reprisals. There is also a price to pay for reporting independently and without censorship. Media professionals are systematically exposed to physical attacks. Most serious crimes against journalists are not prosecuted and brought to trial, including the last two killings of Hassan Kafi and Nasteh Dahir.

Journalists learned that some of them who intended to report professionally were considered as sympathisers of one of the opposing forces, which makes journalists a target for a specific force.

Overall, the past six months of the year was marked by an upsurge in attacks on freedom of the press and safety of journalists, in spite of reduced number of journalists killed. -- For further information, contact: National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Taleex Street, KM4 Area, Hodan District, Mogadishu, Somalia, tel/fax: +252 1 859 944, e-mail: newsletter@nusoj.org Internet: http://www.nusoj.org