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| Last Updated: Oct 6, 2008 - 6:43:58 AM |
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Somalia: Media Legislation Undercuts Freedom of the Press
15 Nov 15, 2007 - 5:24:38 PM
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The Somaliland Ministry of Information drafted and proposed a new media law, which undermines internationally accepted standards of freedom of expression.
The new draft law increases the powers of the Ministry of Information to control the media. It also gives the Minister of Information the power to suspend media organization, arrest journalists and take over ownership of media organizations. The proposed law empowers the Minister of Information to intervene the managerial, financial and editorial system of the media outlet.
The proposed law recognizes a journalist anyone that holds a press card issued by the Ministry of Information. The Ministry can withdraw the press card. Journalists working with local media and international media cannot carry out professional assignments without the permission of the Ministry of information, according to this draft law.
The current draft was not submitted to the Somaliland House of Representatives according to Somaliland Journalists Association. The Somaliland media strongly protested the draft as a move designed to curb freedom of expression.
"The draft legislation seriously poses a threat to media's freedom of expression in Somaliland," said Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists. "If adopted by Somaliland legislative assembly, it will be an attack by Somaliland on freedom of the press".
NUSOJ backs appeals made by Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) to make the draft legislation a law that is well-matched to international standards of freedom of expression. "We are in solidarity with our Somaliland colleagues, and the current unreasonable, unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions in this draft will certainly cause local and international protests, if passed as it is now".
"We urge Somaliland government to open dialogue with the media on this draft legislation and take steps to ensure freedom of the media is respected by proposed law ," Omar Faruk said.
This information is disseminated by the National
Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). NUSOJ takes the responsibility of
the information expressed inside this mail, and any organization, union
or group is allowed to recopy or republish this information. For press
freedom observations, email: somaliapressfreedom@googlemail
.com, for all other correspondences, email: faruk129@yahoo.com
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