"Somali media fraternity condemns recent violations against media and journalists in Mogadishu and Beledhawo"

The Somali media fraternity: Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ), Somali Media Association (SOMA) and Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA)...condemns the recent violations against journalists and the media in Mogadishu and Gedo region in the latest of string of violence targeting media professionals in Somalia.

Around 9:00p.m on Monday, armed NISA officers raided the premises of the privately-owned Somali Cable TV in Mogadishu. According to the affected journalists, three officers beat cameraman Abdirahman Omar Abdulle who sustained slight injuries on the left arm while threatening to shoot a reporter and a driver at the TV’s premises before leaving the area.  The reason of the raid is yet unclear and officers responsible were not arrested as of Tuesday midday...

Regrettably, these latest incidents occurred hours after the media fraternity expressed grave concern about the endless threats against the media professionals working in the country and the total impunity enjoyed by those committing these violations. While, we jointly condemn these latest violations, we also demand for a prompt investigation into the attack on Somali Cable TV premises on Monday and we call for the Somali police to permit unhindered access to all journalists to carry out their duties without harassment.