The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) organized a one-day consultative discussion on the Somalia Media Law and Ethics of Media Industry in Mogadishu on Tuesday July,2018 attended by civil society, parliamentary committee on media and communication and senior government officials who got an opportunity to comment and contribute their views on the draft media law which is in its final reading stage in parliament.
The event was made possible by the United Nations Somalia Mission (UNSOM) Human Rights and Protection Unit bringing together more than 50 participants including various sectors of the media from print, television, radio and online media and other stakeholders to share their concerns on the draft media law.
Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, Secretary General of the National Union of Somalia Journalists (NUSOJ) said the purpose of event was to provide an opportunity of dialogue between the media and the parliamentary committee on media and communication to discuss contentious issues in the draft media bill.
“Today’s discussion provides a good momentum for Somali journalists and media fraternity to be heard and their concerns taken seriously. I wish to thank the members of parliament for taking part in this important discussion. We hope when the media law is finally passed the sections that infringe on the rights of the media will have been expunged and we will have a bill that fully supports and empowers the media,” Moalimuu said.
Honourable Mahamud Abuukate, a member of the parliamentary committee on media and communications said they have taken note of the journalists concerns and hopes the final bill to be passed will have the interest of the media.
“I hope the bill will be passed after the next parliamentary reading which is the final stage and Somalia will get a perfect media law that guarantees freedom of expression and media freedom in line with other international media laws,” Hon. Mohamed said.
The civil society welcomed the news and thanked NUSOJ for its tireless efforts in fighting for the rights of the media. Said Jama Qorsheel, former Minister and now Deputy Chairman of the Somalia Think Tank Centre urged NUSOJ to seek legal representation should the need arise.
Other notable speakers at the event included Hussien Jaabiri, A Senior Advisor, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and journalist Amina Ladan who both thanked NUSOJ for organizing the consultative discussion.
NUSOJ will continue to lobby for freedom of expression and media rights protection. We call upon the government to respect media freedoms and urge parliament to give the country a media bill that is progressive and which protects rather than curtails freedom of expression.
