IFJ Condemns Assault on Journalists in Somalia

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned in the strongest terms the attack on Abdirisaq Adan Qoslaye and Adnan Mohamed Ali, journalists of Radio Shabelle who were beaten up by soldiers and officials of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) on Monday 10 January in Mogadishu.

 

“This is shameful attack on media by the very authorities which are supposed to protect journalists,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office. “It is unacceptable behavior which must not go unpunished.”

 

According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), an IFJ affiliate, on 10 January, the two journalists were covering a ceremony at Banadir Administration Headquarters for Banadir Football Team which won the cup of Somali Regions tournament when they were attacked by the spokesman of Banadir regional Administration Mohamed Abdullahi Arig and soldiers who he ordered to beat up the journalists.

In a public statement, NUSOJ said that “Government officials threatened Shabelle Radio Staff after the radio broadcasted a programme revealing a corruption in Mogadishu seaport”.

 

The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) condemned also this incident. “Beating journalists just because of what they are is a great crime against the people and humanity. We condemn in the strongest terms possible this beastly act aimed at harassing and intimidating journalists. Everybody in the world, including those who beat journalists, depend on journalists to get information on current affairs. Can these soldiers stop for a moment and imagine even a single hour in the world without news? That would be a disaster,” said Dr. Muheldin Idris Titawi, EAJA President.

IFJ renewed its recent call for an international and urgent action to stop the lawlessness in Somalia which is affecting the basic rights of the Somali civilian population and journalists.

 

For more information contact the IFJ at   +221 33 867 95 87   

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide