SOMALIA / WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

An umbrella organization of Somali journalists urged the government to protect its members from violent crimes in order to enable them to work without fear or favour. UNSOM

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:34
• Production Date: 3 May 2017
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN SOMALIA - UNSOM
• Subject Topical: JOURNALISM
• Geographic Subject: SOMALIA
• MAMS Id: 1880046
• Parent Id: 1880046
• Alternate Title: unifeed170503a

Description

STORY: SOMALIA / WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
TRT: 1:34
SOURCE: UNSOM
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: SOMALI /NATS

DATELINE: 2 MAY 2017, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

Shotlist

1. Various shots, panel discussion
2. SOUNDBITE (Somali) Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
“The purpose of the panel was to debate the importance of freedom of expression and justice for all. Somalia is one of the countries where freedom of press is violated. Thirty-four journalists have been killed in Somalia since 2012 while exercising their freedom of expression. Three journalists were assassinated last year; over 80 journalists have also been jailed in various regions of the country. You can imagine the challenges that exist, and Somalia is one of the hostile environments for journalists to work in.”
3. Pan right, moderator passing microphone
4. Wide shot, panellist talking
5. SOUNDBITE (Somali) Farhiya Mohamed Hassan, radio journalist:
“We held discussions on expanding freedom of expression and safeguarding journalists from arbitrary detention. The government needs to guarantee the freedom of expression required by journalists in reporting issues affecting the public as well as ensuring justice for all.”
6. Wide shot, dais
7. Wide shot, panellists

Storyline

An umbrella organization of Somali journalists urged the government to protect its members from violent crimes in order to enable them to work without fear or favour.

Speaking at a workshop held in Mogadishu today, Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, the Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), described the dangerous conditions under which members of the news media must work.

He said “thirty-four journalists have been killed in Somalia since 2012 while exercising their freedom of expression. Three journalists were assassinated last year; over 80 journalists have also been jailed in various regions of the country. You can imagine the challenges that exist, and Somalia is one of the hostile environments for journalists.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists ranks Somalia as one of the deadliest countries to work in, alongside Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Libya.

Radio journalist Farhiya Mohamed Hassan urged the government to do more to protect journalists.

Hassan said “we held discussions on expanding freedom of expression and safeguarding journalists from arbitrary detention. The government needs to guarantee the freedom of expression required by journalists in reporting the issues affecting the public as well as ensuring justice for all.”

The workshop was attended by more than 30 journalists and sponsored by the United States Mission in Somalia. It kicked off a series of activities that will commemorate World Press Freedom Day, which is observed annually on 3 May.