The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and the Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA) has issued strong statement to address what it described as serious rising disruption to Somali media and its credibility by individuals in the international arena.
The statement that specifically mentioned two individuals namely self proclaimed exiled investigative Somali Journalist Dahir Alasow and Omar Faruq has called upon the president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Jim Boumelha to desist and cease in his support and encouragement of Somali media spoilers who it said defame and harass not only individuals but also entities and donor community, while demanding bribery money.
‘’NUSOJ independent national journalists trade union that legally represents the Somali journalists and the Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA), an association that has a membership of more than 20 media stations in Somalia addresses serious rising disruption to Somali media including harassment and defamation of civic leaders, business communities, Somali diplomatic communities, international diplomatic communities, donor community and public figures by two individual spoilers, Omar Faruk Osman and Dahir Abdulle Alasow, the owner of Waagacusub.com website. The unfounded and libellous attacks, which these individual spoilers subject to the above mentioned communities, complete violation of the fundamental principles of ethical journalism, locally and internationally”
NUSOJ and SIMHA expressed concern over the use of the media as a tool to extort, harass, defame and terrorize while regretting the impact caused upon all.
“Somali media regrets the impact upon all those effected by the violence, including Finnish Foundation for Media and Development (VIKES), American International labor solidarity Center, Somali Embassy in Kampala, various government institutions, Center for Community Awareness, Dahabshiil Money Transfer among others entities,”
“Somali media reaffirm the media’s role in promoting pluralism, good governance, accountability, transparency and justice in line with the universally accepted code of ethics in journalism, opposing all forms of violence.”
