The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein to stop a crackdown on media after government forces arrested journalist Abdi Mohammed Ismail and raided a radio station last week.
“We are concerned about this new wave of attacks against the media after a short period of calm,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa office. “Prime Minister Hussein promised to protect press freedom during his first weeks in office and we are calling on him to make sure our colleague is released and that government forces stop arresting journalists and raiding media organisations.”
According to National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), today in Mogadishu the Transitional Federal Government’s forces arrested Ismail, a prominent journalist working for the Shabelle Media Network. Ismail is known by his on air nickname of Abdi Uud. No reason was given for the arrest. Ismail is being held in a military camp, Shabelle Media Network said.
“Police brutalities against media are intolerable and the Transitional Government must stop violence against journalists and media houses by its soldiers,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
On Thursday, April 17 government forces raided and closed the office of Radio Voice of Peace in Mogadishu. They arrested four journalists and a technician, reportedly for broadcasting a live report on fighting between government forces and insurgents in Mogadishu. The staff was released the following day and the radio was allowed to reopen.
For further information contact the IFJ: +221 33 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries
“We are concerned about this new wave of attacks against the media after a short period of calm,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa office. “Prime Minister Hussein promised to protect press freedom during his first weeks in office and we are calling on him to make sure our colleague is released and that government forces stop arresting journalists and raiding media organisations.”
According to National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), today in Mogadishu the Transitional Federal Government’s forces arrested Ismail, a prominent journalist working for the Shabelle Media Network. Ismail is known by his on air nickname of Abdi Uud. No reason was given for the arrest. Ismail is being held in a military camp, Shabelle Media Network said.
“Police brutalities against media are intolerable and the Transitional Government must stop violence against journalists and media houses by its soldiers,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
On Thursday, April 17 government forces raided and closed the office of Radio Voice of Peace in Mogadishu. They arrested four journalists and a technician, reportedly for broadcasting a live report on fighting between government forces and insurgents in Mogadishu. The staff was released the following day and the radio was allowed to reopen.
For further information contact the IFJ: +221 33 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries