FESOJ concluded Panel Discussion on freedom of expression and press freedom in Garowe city, Puntland State of Somalia

Garowe city, Thursday, November 24, 2022: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has concluded a one- day Panel Discussion Forum in Garowe city, the capital of Puntland State of Somalia, to analyze freedom of the press in Somalia, especially in Puntland.

This panel discussion forum is the fourth of its type that FESOJ has implemented in partnership with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) since May 3, 2022.

In their opening remarks, both the Chairman and the Secretary General of FESOJ highlighted the operational history of FESOJ and the issues related to press freedom since the establishment of the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ)

Forty participants comprising journalists and university students were in attendance as an audience for the panel discussion session.

Members from the police, judiciary, civil society and senior journalist were invited to lead the panel discussion forum to discuss, comment and respond to questions related to freedom of the press in Somalia, access to information and the safety of journalists. Halima Saadia Abdullahi from the journalists of Garowe city was the moderator of the panel discussion proceedings.

“Despite difficult circumstances, press freedom is better than before; on the other hand, access to information is limited in Puntland. Therefore, it’s possible the report of some journalists could be based on speculation.” Mohamed Dahir Aysane, Chairman of the Media Association of Puntland (MAP), pointed out.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdirisaq Ismail Hassan Darwish responding to complaints journalists always raise against the police, has indicated that the police are in pursuit of crimes. The media follow those cases and gather at the crime scene. But, then, it’s possible the police and journalists may not understand each other, and if a problem occurs, they could sometimes clash.

Abdusalaan Mohamed Muse from the judiciary of Puntland, responding to a question on whether the journalists have been taken to court without harming, said, “ To his knowledge, there is no court case where a journalist has been brought, but most cases are resolved outside the court.”.

Saadia Ugas Yasin from the civil society has pointed out that in Puntland, there is political information that is withheld, and the journalists are following such concealed information that, as result could cause challenges for the journalists.

The journalists attending the panel discussion forum asked the police and other members about the challenges the reporter face with their freedom of movement and the lack of accessing information for the public interest.

During the panel discussion forum, much dialogue has been made about the articles of the constitution that support freedom of expression and freedom of the press, the media law and the ethics of journalism.

Furthermore, the forum has discussed the elections through one man, one vote and indicated when that comes into effect, it’s possible for press freedom in Somalia to be addressed.