FESOJ held the fifth-panel discussion on press freedom in Dhuusamareeb, Galmudug State.
Dhuusamareeb city, Thursday, December 1, 2022: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has convened a one-day panel discussion on freedom of expression and press freedom in Somalia on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Beder Hotel in Dhuusamareeb city, Galmudug State.
The panel discussion, the fifth of its type held at the major regional cities of Somalia, was attended by forty participants, including journalists, students studying journalism, representatives from Galmudug Journalists Association (GALJA), members from the various civil society, academics and the police.
The panel discussion event supported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) has been opened by Farah Omar Nur, the Secretary General of FESOJ, and has pointed out that the meeting intends to discuss press freedom and freedom of expression in Somalia, especially in Galmudug region.
The Secretary-General explained the Somali journalists’ challenges regarding their safety and how to access information from the government and other institutions, which they have the right to communicate to the public. He further explained the general conditions and challenges against press freedom globally.
The panel discussion was attended by members of the Police, Civil Society, Galmudug Media Association and Intellectual. Amina Noor Hussein, a female journalist, moderated the discussion. She asked the panelists: Is there Press freedom in Galmudug?
The police officer attending the discussion has defended the role of the police and said, “No journalists were harmed before the court proceedings.”
In addition, Ms Luul Hassan Eerkolo from Galmudug Women’s Organization and Abdisalan Mohamud Firidho, an intellectual participating in the panel discussion, have agreed that reporters do not access enough information, and the community has a problem with that.
A/salan Mohamud Firidho, one of the intellectuals from the Galgadud Region, said that the journalists did not mention any criticism of the Regional Administration, which led Galmudg to lack development.
Bashir Mohamed Salad, one of the panellists in the panel discussion meeting, noted that Galmudug Journalist Association (GALJA) had been established in Galmudug State that will advocate for and address the challenges the media and journalists of the region are facing.
In conclusion, the journalists at the meeting raised direct questions with Lt. Mustaf Salad Warsame, the Dhuusamareeb Deputy Police Commander, regarding the detention and other difficulties exposed with press freedom. He mostly responded as police; they take measures intended to protect the law and peace.
