Media associations condemn Somali govt ban on Journalists

Somali media advocacy groups have strongly condemned government order to ban media and Journalists from the airport.

Statement by aviation authorities on Wednesday called Mogadishu International Airport out of bound for the media related activities for the next 60 days.

Somali Independent Media Houses Association condemned the move and called upon the authorities to reconsider the ban saying it is violation of media freedom.

“SIMHA sees the move as violation to the media and information freedom,”

Association chair Hassan Ali Gesey said the next two months is crucial for media in the country as there will be beehive of activities on election process set on October and November.

“The next 60 days is crucial for Somali media and it’s international counterparts since high profile Somali politicians who have shown interest in the upcoming elections are expected to fly in the country.” He said.

“SIMHA therefore calls upon the government via its relevant agencies to immediately reconsider the ban on media as it is crucial for news coverage that is key to democratic process in the country,” He added.

National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) also sent similar appeal to the government mainly ministry of information.

NUSOJ Secretary General Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu called upon security agencies in the country to respect the role of the media in information dissemination.