The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today expressed support for Somali
journalists in their call for press freedom in Somalia
during a demonstration held last Sunday in the capital, Mogadishu.
"Journalists have remained at the mercy
of the warring factions, government forces, Islamic insurgents who have
frequently targeted, attacked, kidnapped and killed journalists," said
Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa office. "We call on the international
community to provide protection for journalists covering the war-torn Somalia."
During a demonstration to launch
their 2008 annual report entitled "Somalia:
a precarious and perilous place for the press", the National Union of Somali
Journalists, NUSOJ denounced the "violence, attacks, impunity and injustice
against journalists and media" in Somalia.
"Journalists have been targeted as they tried to report
on the plight of the people and provide independent information on current issues,
including serious human rights violations. Journalists and media houses that
are vocal and critical of the warring sides in an independent and professional
manner are constantly attacked," said NUSOJ Secretary General and President of
the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Omar Faruk Osman.
The IFJ and the FAJ call on the international community to enforce provisions of international law on the protection for the journalists and media workers covering armed conflict zones such as Somalia.
The report ' Somalia : a precarious and perilous place for press ' is available here
For more
information contact the IFJ at + 221 33 842 01 43
The IFJ
represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide