The stakeholders, who met on 27-28 October 2009 at Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu, also discussed sections of the law, endorsed by parliament, that they want amended. The media law consultative meeting, which was organized by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) in collaboration with the Dutch media support organization, Press Now, was to enable the Somali media law stakeholders discuss the Media Law, which contains a series of suppressive articles, in detail, to come up with recommendations and form representative and independent media council.

“These suppressive articles must be amended before we can sit down to talk about the composition of a Media Council,” Abdirashid Abdullahi Haydar, NUSOJ Coordinator who spoke on behalf of union, said. “When the government opened this law for drastic review and disbanded the council, we were asked by both the government and stakeholders to facilitate such process, which as a member, we are proud to help the process move forward” he added. The consultative meeting, which drew more than 45 participants from southern and central Somalia, was officially opened by the Director-General of the Ministry of Information, Mr. Abdirisak Ali Yusuf who spoke both on behalf of the Ministry of Information and the Minister himself, reiterated the importance of the consultative process that NUSOJ is once again spearheading.

Abdirisak pledged the government determination to fully support the initiative aimed at coming up with instruments to facilitate media freedom and growth in Somalia. He urged the participants to discuss the law without any reservations and guaranteed government’s honest participation. Honorable Amina Omar Jama, MP, the acting chair of Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information and Arts of Transitional Federal Parliament said she was disappointed about the worsening working conditions of the Somali journalists. She reminded the participants that the law was above all.

“Today, the media law is before you. There is a window of opportunity. You have the chance to review it and give your proposal to amend” Honorable Amina Omar said.  “I urge you we have constructive consultations But, tomorrow, we will not be able to make proposal for amendment,” the MP added. After deliberations, the participants agreed 18 articles to be amended and agreed the proposed amendments.  The then Minister of information declared the media law open for review on 3rd May 2009 during commemoration of World Press Freedom Day. On this occasion, the Media Council was disbanded after the media fraternity objected to its activities and composition saying it lacked credibility, confidence and independence.

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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

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National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is a national union representing Somali journalists to promote and protect freedom of the press and the interests and rights of journalists. It is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Freedom of Expression exchange (IFEX), Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA). NUSOJ is partner with Reporters without Borders (RWB).