International Federation of Journalists
Press release
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) today has expressed serious concerns over a restrictive draft
media law in Somalia, saying it could be used to curb the freedom of the
press.
According to National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), an IFJ
affiliate, the council of ministers passed on 11 July, a draft media law
which is considered as vague, potentially dangerous and will create
governmental obstacles to media freedom.
The draft law contains several articles that would interfere with
Somali journalists' ability to operate independently and could expose
them to a range of restrictions for ill-defined offenses. If the draft
is passed into law, journalists will be forced to disclose their
sources, media houses will be compelled to name their unnamed reporters
and those working for foreign media will be discriminated.
"We call on federal government of Somalia to amend the draft media
law and ensure that the final version restores media freedoms, in line
with Somalia's national and international commitments. The draft
restricts journalists' and citizens' rights to freedom of information,"
said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa Director.
The version of the draft law adopted by the Council of Ministers
erodes the fundamental right to freedom of expression, guaranteed in the
provisional Constitution of Somalia and in regional and international
conventions, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
of the African Union, which Somalia has ratified.
"The federal parliament should insist that these harsh restrictions are removed from the current draft law," added Baglo.
IFJ considers that in Somalia, the challenge for the authorities is
to secure safety of journalists, tackle impunity, and allow journalists
enjoy their right to work without interference, to receive decent pay
and secure working conditions and to have their professional status
properly respected.
"If this draft media law is passed by the Federal Parliament and
signed into law by the President of the Republic, this government and
political rulers have failed to create the conditions for media freedom
in Somalia as enjoyed in other democratic countries," said Omar Faruk
Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
NUSOJ believes that if adopted by parliament the draft law could
curtail free speech and independent journalism. Several provisions of
the law would severely restrict the ability of journalists to cover
events in Somalia, setting back the struggle of Somalia's vibrant media
sector.
The draft media law has been sent to the Federal Parliament for
approval. Once approved by the parliament, it will require the signature
of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud before becoming law.
For more information, please contact IFJ on + 221 33 867 95 86/87
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries