Do or Die: Somali president's comms director threatens journalists, unions who oppose media law

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Do or Die: Somali president's comms director threatens journalists, unions who oppose media law

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) On Thursday hundreds of journalists, editors, photographers, women reporters, media bosses and representatives from Somali civil society groups protested against the country's draconian media law introduced a day earlie

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Journalists say they are threatened by Somali president's Communications Director, Abdinur Mohamed (pictured). (PHOTO/FILE).

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) On Thursday hundreds of journalists, editors, photographers, women reporters, media bosses and representatives from Somali civil society groups protested against the country's draconian media law introduced a day earlier.

In an event in Mogadishu, the media and the civil society groups said the amendment law poses grave threat to freedom of expression, freedom of the press and compromises the safety of the journalists. They said the law represents the most brazen attack on freedom of the media in Somalia.

Journalists unions, several editors and journalists have also expressed extreme concern against new threats made by Abdinur Mohamed, the Director of the Communications of the Somalia President's Office who described media houses and journalists who covered Somalia-Kenya maritime dispute as 'enemies' and vowed to target them, a remark he made during the launch of the Media law at the Ministry of information event last week.

"These threats were made on Wednesday during an event held in the Ministry of Information. It included a special warning to Mogadishu journalists," said Mohamed Hussein, a Mogadishu-based freelance journalist "This was a signal to say we are coming for you."

Following these new threats, press freedom groups strongly reacted and even alerted authorities by saying that it amounted to a new 'attack' on press freedom and exacerbating risks to those who are already ruthlessly targeted by the authorities simply for reporting the truth are once again.

The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) jointly opposed the repressive law "Ahead of the national elections, this law is meant to create a chilling effect on freedom of the press and that of the media in Somalia. This law does not only impose censorship and threatens critical reporting, but it also forces journalists to be registered into a government database, which is unacceptable," the two organisations said.

"We are also concerned by the new threats targeting certain media and their journalists and we want to call for an immediate intervention to deal imminent threats posed by the Director of Communications of Villa Somalia, following his speech at the launch of the media law," said Mohamed Abduwahab, the secretary general of SOMA.

Abduwahab's concern was again emphasised by the women journalists who also reported an alarming level of new threats from certain individuals since Wednesday. "Women journalists are particularly under threat since this law was introduced. We have seen derogatory comments from certain officials working in Villa Somalia just because we have raised our concern on the media law," said a statement from the women journalists association.

'WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE'

But it continued. On Monday, an event held in Jazeera Hotel, the Director of the Information Ministry and the Somali President's Communications Director further threatened to use the Attorney General to suppress journalists and media houses if they continue to report critically on public interest matters. They also warned union leaders who criticised the media law.

"Using a bare threat to silence journalists and threatening their unions explains how dire the situation is and how unsafe the environment is," said Hassan Mohamud, the director of Goobjoog Media who attended the Monday's event.

The secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Abdalle Mumin said warned any threats by government officials including officials at President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo's office should not go unpunished.

"All threats including those currently reported by journalists and editors must be investigated and perpetrators punished if Somali authorities are genuine to end the violence against the journalists. This is something that is wholly unacceptable and which not only has tragic consequences for the journalists, but also impacts all of us who want to live in open and democratic societies," Mumin said.

The amendments of the Somali media law would significantly increase the government’s powers to censor independent media and prosecute journalists. It also requires journalists to register into a government-run database.

"This is a clear violation of the right to freedom of the press as enshrined in the Somali Constitution and contravenes international human rights law and standards," said Diini Mohamed, a respected civil society advocate in Mogadishu.

Abdullahi Hassan, the Amnesty International's Somalia researcher said the media law contradicts the Somali President's May 3 commitment to decriminalise journalism as it leaves open the possibility to prosecute journalists in criminal courts.

"It is unfortunate that the President has now signed the amendments into law and missed a golden opportunity to put forward a media law that respects, protects, promotes and fulfills the right to freedom of expression in Somalia," Hassan added.