Its theme is: “Realising Access to Information in Somalia” and it brings together government officials, media professionals, civil society organisations, and international partners. They will consider how to achieve access to information legislation consistent with Article 32 of the Constitution of Somalia. Its comprehensive guarantee to freedom of information has yet to be given proper legal effect.
The forum is the culmination a long-standing campaign by the IFJ affiliate that has included messaging on social media channels raising awareness of the issue.
NUSOJ president, Omar Faruk Osman said: “This event is a very significant step in our campaign for effective access to information laws in Somalia. It is intended to amplify the impact of our activities up till now. An effective access to information law for Somalia would make our journalism more effective and better able to inform readers, viewers and listeners what is being done in their name”.