by BRIAN ORUTA
Sunday July 28, 2024
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged Somalia’s government to withdraw the Official Information Bill (OIB) saying the set of laws could affect the right to information.
According to IFJ, the Bill starkly contradicts international standards, including the African Union Model Law on Access to Information as well as the Provisional Constitution of Somalia.
The federation adds that it fails to establish clear, well-defined exemptions, and contains extensive provisions on confidentiality and national security information that are incompatible with global best practices.
“The Federal Government of Somalia should strive to undertake a comprehensive review to align the Bill with Good Regulatory Practices (GRPs),” IFJ said in a statement.
“If the Official Information Bill is passed in its current form, it will severely undermine freedom of information and transparency in Somalia, enabling government secrecy and potentially increasing corruption and abuse of power. The bill's vague provisions and broad exemptions will impede accountability and damage Somalia's credibility with international partners, hindering progress toward good governance and economic stability.”
IFJ Deputy General Secretary Tim Dawson said the Official Information Bill, as it stands, represents a significant threat to freedom of information and good governance in Somalia.
He noted that its broad exemptions and ambiguous language are a recipe for legalised secrecy and unaccountability.
“We urge the Somali government to withdraw this Bill immediately and revise it to meet international standards. Protecting the right to information is crucial for upholding democratic principles and fostering trust with both the Somali people and international partners. Without these changes, Somalia risks regressing on its path towards good governance and institutionalising democracy," Dawson said.
Somalia is under pressure to drop the Bill amid suggestions it will, if passed by Parliament, bypass essential democratic processes, including excluding public consultation and stakeholder engagement.
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), in a statement, further insist the Bill could be a blatant disregard for inclusive policymaking which undermines the core values of democracy and compromises the effectiveness of the legislation.
NUSOJ said the Bill reveals not only numerous ambiguous provisions but also broad exemptions that will not aid transparency.
The union said the inclusion of espionage-related sanctions and undefined terms related to national security in the Bill, which threaten free expression and should be addressed in separate, specialised legislation.
“The excessive authority granted to national security institutions within this Bill promotes a culture of secrecy, counteracting the goals of openness and public trust. We urge the government to withdraw the current draft and undertake meaningful revisions,” NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman added.