Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency has accused the media in the country for overstepping media freedom in the country.
In a statement sent to news rooms NISA has accused the media of misusing the freedom of the press by embarking on creating unnecessary political tension, public incitement and defamation of the national leaders.
“It is very unfortunate that Somali media became where government institutions are being blackmailed and the country’s constitutional government officials are been defamed and security and political tensions are been created, and to make the population hopeless,” said NISA statement.
NISA statement follows the detention of two Universal TV journalists by the Intelligence agency last week. The two Mogadishu director Abdullahi Hersi Kulmiye and program producer Awil Dahir are still in custody amid international appeal for their release.
The government said there will in custody for next three weeks as their case is being investigated. NISA has also warned what it described as double agents trying to damage government close working relations with its international partners saying it will not hesitate to take action against any threat to security of the country.
UK ambassador Harriet Mathews has on Monday called upon Somali government to release detained journalists saying freedom of the press is fundamental right.
