Saturday March 16, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists (SMSJ), a coalition network comprising seven media associations, has rejected the approval of the Somali National Media Council by the Somali Council of Ministers, stating that there was no consultation with media organizations.
In a statement released on Friday, the SMSJ, which includes FESOJ, SOMA, MAP, SWJO, MWN, SIMHA, and SJS, expressed disappointment with the unilateral process, highlighting that all members of the newly appointed Somali National Media Council are government workers.
"It's unfortunate that the process did not follow the necessary legal procedures, including preliminary consultation with independent media organizations, civil society organizations, and state media,"
They added, "The Somali Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists (SMSJ) calls for other affiliated media organizations, the government, and civil society to work together to ensure a consultative approach to establishing this Council. Since the process has been ongoing for a long time, no single party can establish the Media Council alone."
They recommended that the Somali government reconsider and withdraw from the unilateral appointment of this government-controlled Media Council. They suggested involving members from the government, private media, and civil society organizations such as the Human Rights Commission, Women's Associations, and the Somali Lawyers Association from the outset.
"If the government of Somalia fails to address our concerns, then they should be aware that this appointed Somali National Media Council will likely face failure, similar to previously established media councils," they emphasized.
The Somali Council of Ministers approved the appointment of the nine-member Somali National Media Council during their weekly meeting in Mogadishu on Thursday. This decision follows the country's parliament passing the media law, subsequently signed by the President.