The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today expressed support for Somali journalists in their call for press freedom in Somalia during a demonstration held last Sunday in the capital, Mogadishu.

"Journalists have remained at the mercy of the warring factions, government forces, Islamic insurgents who have frequently targeted, attacked, kidnapped and killed journalists," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa office. "We call on the international community to provide protection for journalists covering the war-torn Somalia."

During a demonstration to launch their 2008 annual report entitled "Somalia: a precarious and perilous place for the press", the National Union of Somali Journalists, NUSOJ denounced the "violence, attacks, impunity and injustice against journalists and media" in Somalia.

"Journalists have been targeted as they tried to report on the plight of the people and provide independent information on current issues, including serious human rights violations. Journalists and media houses that are vocal and critical of the warring sides in an independent and professional manner are constantly attacked," said NUSOJ Secretary General and President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Omar Faruk Osman.

The IFJ and the FAJ call on the international community to enforce provisions of international law on the protection for the journalists and media workers covering armed conflict zones such as Somalia.

The report ' Somalia : a precarious and perilous place for press ' is available here

 For more information contact the IFJ at + 221 33 842 01 43

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide