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About
NUSOJ
Who
We Are?
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) was set up
in August 2002 as an association called Somali Journalists Network
(SOJON) to promote and protect freedom of the press and the
interests of journalists after the former Transitional National
Government of Somalia prepared and approved a repressive media
law.
In order to effectively fight for journalists' pay and conditions,
their working rights and their professional freedom, the members
of the organisation in their 2005 General Assembly in Mogadishu
resolved to transform the organisation from an Association to
a Labor Union with a new Name: the National Union of Somali
Journalists. The organization was formally dedicated for the
purpose of serving the member journalists' interests and needs
with respect to journalists' rights, press freedom and working
conditions.
The National Union of Somali Journalists is a national labor
union representing over 454 journalists, who established or
joined the union in order to uphold and defend their interests,
needs and rights cooperatively and deal with employers, authorities
and other sectors in the society collectively.
NUSOJ is a fervent champion for media freedom, the rights of
journalists, workers' rights and for social justice in Somalia.
Member journalists work across the whole industry as reporters,
editors and sub-editors and photographers. Members work in broadcasting,
newspapers, magazines, and in the new media (news websites).
We are professionals who are proud of the work that we do. Our
members come from many different families and backgrounds, with
widely different regions.
What
We Do?
The
National Union of Somali Journalists systematically monitors
and conducts investigations into violations of press freedom
and human rights of journalists. We provide accurate, prompt
and impartial information concerning attacks on journalists
such as killings, arrests, death threats and harassments, as
well as acts of aggression against media organizations. We generate
and rally a national and global community of press freedom defenders
to take effective action against press freedom violations.
We
provide a constant stream of information to the local media,
foreign press, local authorities, members of international community,
inter-governmental organizations and the United Nations, urging
them to take action where press freedom infringements are happening.
We monitor and investigate cases of violations objectively and
independently. We ensure national coverage on press freedom
and labor issues. We organize national acts of solidarity with
victimized journalists, media professionals at risk or the families
of mistreated journalists.
We
lobby at various levels, targeting local media, local authorities,
government and the international community, calling for them
to respect, protect and promote media freedom, journalists'
rights and to improve unfair policies and programs. We create
a clear position on issues of concern, not only to our members,
but to all concerned groups who are interested or involved in
what we stand for. As part of the union's commitment to promote
high standards in media and journalism, NUSOJ strengthens the
professional competence and ethical standards of both established
journalists and new entrants in order for them to be qualified
journalists adhering to high professional standards. We have
organised and continue to arrange workshops, seminars, roundtables
and debates on the profession with the ultimate aim of strengthening
the freedom of opinion and the freedom of the press and thus
improving the conditions for democratisation, peace building,
reconciliation and social and economic development in Somalia.
Governance
and Administration
NUSOJ
was founded and is governed by our member journalists. We are
a democratic union, and our strength comes from the involvement
and engagement of all our members. It is possible for all members
to influence policy. The Union's policy, objectives and priorities
are decided at the General Assembly, which meets once in every
three years. Six Branches of the union are entitled to send
delegates to the General Assembly in proportion to the size
of their membership.
Policies
and programs developed by the elected members are implemented
and administered by the National Secretariat. NUSOJ is governed
by a Supreme Council, responsible for the general policies between
General Assemblies, and an Executive Committee, in charge for
the administration of the Union. The diversity of the union's
membership also is one of its strengths. NUSOJ is pitilessly
opposed to discrimination and prejudice, on grounds of gender,
tribe/clan, age or disability, not least because it divides
rather than unites.
What We Want?
Representing this broad base of journalists, NUSOJ aims to ensure
media freedom, ethical standards in media and lobbies nationally
and internationally for the rights of Somali journalists, and
to defend specific interests and needs of the journalists. Pursuing
the overall objectives of the union, NUSOJ wants to:
1. Protect and Promote Freedom of the Press, Speech and Information.
2. Improve working conditions and safety & security of journalists.
3. Defend and promote principles and practice of the journalistic
profession.
Affiliation and Partnership
The National Union of Somali Journalists is member of Somali
Human Rights Defenders Network (SOHRIDEN), the East and Horn
of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) and the
African Democracy Forum (ADF)
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