Tuesday 1 December 2009

Somali Journalists launch action plan to counter the oppression of the media

The journalists and media representatives gathered for three days in Nairobi, Kenya - Photo HOL

National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ
Monday, November 30, 2009

Somali media and journalist associations decided on a cooperative action plan to counter the growing oppression of the media in Somalia. In 2009 six Somali journalists have been killed, others were detained, several stations were closed or taken over by armed groups.

More than 30 independent media houses representing all parts of the Somali speaking territories, signed a joined declaration calling for the establishment of a training and solidarity centre for reporters to handle security issues, arrests, corruption and biased reporting. Such a Solidarity Centre will document harassments, random arrest, imprisonment and torture of reporters, closure of radio stations and killing of journalists. It will collect detailed reports and evidence to end the impunity of perpetrators.

The Somali journalists also decided to form a media cooperation that will help the independent media to disseminate their news. Several radio stations based in all Somali speaking territories will seek close cooperation. The stations are committed to share their news through a central desk at a safe location. The collected materials will be packaged and redistributed to all the partnering stations. A structural training program to enhance the professional skills of the media sector will be attached to the project. Some stations based in the most restricted areas are considering building a re-broadcasting station that cannot be controlled by any of the warring parties.

In their declaration, the Somali speaking media houses and journalists organizations requested the Dutch based media development organization Press Now to develop a detailed work plan for the implementation of the centre. The journalists and media representatives gathered for three days of intense but fruitful debate and discussed practical solutions for the crisis of the Somali media. The Somali Media Development Conference was co-hosted by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and Press Now in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27th to 29th November 2009.

For further information, contact:
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
Taleex Street, KM4 Area, Hodan District,
Mogadishu, Somalia, tel/fax: +252 1 859 944,
e-mail: newsletter@nusoj.org
Internet: http://www.nusoj.org

No comments:

Why cows may be hiding something but AI can spot it

  By Chris Baraniuk Technology of Business reporter Published 22 hours ago Share IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Herd animals like...