FESOJ Concluded Panel Discussion on press freedom in Somalia in observance of the World Press Freedom Day in Mogadishu
Mogadishu, Tuesday, May 3, 2022: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has concluded – a day Panel Discussion on press freedom in Somalia held on May 3, 2022, at Al Jazeera Palace Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia.
In observance of World Press Freedom Day – May 3, 2022, the panel discussion focused on highlighting the significance of renewing the protection of media freedom in Somalia while recognizing the new challenges confronting the country’s media sector.
In the panel discussions, the journalists’ concern over the impunity for crimes against journalists in Somalia has been raised. The issues related to press freedom, killing with impunity, and harassment of Somali journalists were presented.
The two-day panel discussion event has been participated by 60 selected persons including media directors, editors, journalists, intellectuals, judiciary, police and civil society activists.
“The roundtable one-day panel discussion event is related to World Press Freedom Day, its history and the challenging situation the Somalia media and journalists are facing” Farah Omar Nur, FESOJ Secretary-General explained.
“World Press Freedom Day is an important day on the UN calendar, we strongly believe that the Somali media has vital role to play in helping develop the Somali society, and helping develop Somali democracy. The Somali media should be able to go about its work, free from intimidation, free from harm, and to do its work in safety and security.” Ari Gaitanis, Chief of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Group, UNSOM pointed out in a clip for the opening remarks.
“We look forward to a fruitful discussion, and once again, thanks, FESOJ, for helping this event take place today.” Ari Gaitanis stated.
Presentations on the key themes of ensuring the safety of the media and journalists, the role of the media in strengthening peace promotion, improving press freedom and freedom of opinion have been made during the discussions.
Then, the panel discussion organized by FESOJ and supported by UNOSM focused on the challenges the Somali media are facing in pursuit of their works, the need to provide legal protection to the media and journalists, free from police violation and made recommendations on how these challenges hindering press freedom could be addressed.
Before the one-day panel discussion event, from 24th to 25th April 2022, FESOJ has undertaken a two-day training workshop on improving the capacity of thirty local reporters and strengthening the environment for press freedom, freedom of expression and journalist professionalism as part of preliminary preparation for observing the World Press Freedom Day -May 3, 2022.
Furthermore, In signifying the occasion of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2022, the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has prepared, produced and circulated Somalia Annual Press Freedom Report 2021 – 2022 entitled: -“Somalia: Egregious Media Rights Violations.”
This report, which is the 20th annual press freedom report, produced by the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) since its foundation in 2002 as the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is, focusing on the difficult situations the Somali journalists and the media has experienced during the reporting period from May 2021 to May 2022.
The annual report indicates that FESOJ has recorded the murder of 1 journalist, 53 arrested 37 suffered violent beatings, injuries or harassment, 7 media outlets were affected by raids, temporary closure, and damage to property. 1In addition, six journalists and media workers in various regions reported to FESOJ about direct threats to their lives, including regular harassment by local authority officials – in most cases, these were reprisals related to their journalistic reporting.
In conclusion, the report has made valuable recommendations, including a call on the Somali government to work with media rights defenders, civil society organizations, and media outlets to put in place an effective mechanism to guarantee access to information for the media and the general public.
In addition, the report suggested the armed actors’ Respect for freedom of expression and freedom of speech and advised the partners to provide support for the training and capacity building of security agencies on how to protect and work with the media, including observing respect for media freedoms.
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