The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Joins its Affiliate MAP in Condemning Puntland’s Actions Aimed at Undermining Media Freedom
MOGADISHU, Somalia, November 15, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) joins its affiliate the Media Association of Puntland (MAP) in condemning the administrations action aimed to undermine the media freedom the regions under its control, After suspending from operation the two independent television networks, Somali Chanel and Universal Television followed by another warning order against the two televisions.
The two television networks were imposed upon an indefinite activity suspension on November 1, 2011 by a directorate from the Puntland’s ministry of Information, accusing them to have violated the Puntland’s security. Demands from the Media Association of Puntland (MAP), an independent journalist’s body affiliated to NUSOJ and the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), to the Puntland administration to present evidences to what have been accused to the television networks ended up in failure.
The Puntland information Ministry issued another warning statement against the two television stations already suspended from work, accusing again that they have violated the ban, a term which indicates a possible pretext of arrests against the Televisions’ reporters and managers in Puntland. The warning statement has been issued following a joint meeting by various government officials held on November 13, 2011, to discuss the media and methods of implementing the government’s order to suspend the two Somali Televisions – Universal TV and Somali Chanel, the statement which was circulated various media organizations said.
“We join our affiliate MAP in condemning the act of suspending the television stations without proper evidence to what has been accused of which is a direct violation against the already ravaged freedom of the press,” Mohamed Ibrahim, the Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said, “We demand from the Puntland authorities to immediately lift the ban and allow journalists to freely exercise the given freedom.”
“We call upon the Puntland Administration to guarantee the freedom of the press as enshrined in the Puntland constitution and guarantee the safety of the journalists coming under attack and bring the assassins before the court of Law.” Mr. Ibrahim added.
Issuing such warning letters from the Puntland administration sends a threatening message to the independent media in Puntland and shows how critical to obtain an independent media in Puntland.
Attacks against the journalists and the media stations has been on the rise in recent months in Puntland and none of the attackers has been arrested so far. The latest attack on journalists took place in Bosaso, a town controlled by the Puntland administration, on 22 September, 2011, which two assailants shot twice Hasan Mohamed Anteno, editor of Radio voice of Peace in Bosaso.
Please join our efforts in defending the media freedom in Puntland and write protest letters to the Puntland Administration for the following
address:
Ministry of Information, Telecommunication, Culture and Heritage Puntland State of Somalia, Garowe
Email: puntland.info@gmail.com
For More information, Please read the statement in full:
http://www.nusoj.org.so/alerts/Nov2011/Puntland_authority_issues_awarning_statement_against_Television_networks.htm
SOURCE
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
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