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Government
Security Cracks down Media in Mogadishu
Mogadishu, Friday 19 August, 2011
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns the
strongest terms possible to the Security Forces of the Transitional
Federal Government's media crackdown and violations against
the press on Friday morning at Badbaado Camp 2 in Jazira area,
amid Turkish Prime Minister was visiting the camp.
The security forces threatened, beat and seized journalist's
equipments and blocked journalists from the coverage of the
visit of the Turkish Prime minister at the camp.
According to Ibrahim Mohamed jeekey, the director of the Universal
Television office in Mogadishu said that "Security forces
robbed our equipments including our cameras, stopped us from
covering the Turkish prime minister's visit at the camp and
beat some of our colleague"
Mr. Jeekey noted that the one of his professional cameras is
still in the hands of the security agents.
Mohamed Nur Mohamed Aka Shariifka , a Bar-Kulan Radio correspondent
in Mogadishu said that he was threatened to death while trying
to cover the news event.
The camera of Abdi Dhaqane Iye, a Reuter's video shooter was
reportedly snatched by the security forces, though it was later
returned to him, though the camera of the universal television
is still missing into the hands of the security forces.
"This is a tragic moment for Somali journalists and on
behalf of the Somali journalists union, I strongly condemn the
actions of the security forces and their oppressive actions
to block journalists from covering" said Mohammed Ibrahim,
NUSOJ Secretary General, "This is serious and deliberate
violations against the freedom of the press committed by security
forces trying to prevent journalists from covering." Mr.
Ibrahim added.
This tragic event follows after the Ministry of Information,
Posts and Telecommunication provided journalist covering the
event with ID cards, but the security forces did not recognize
the identity cards provided by the ministry of information.
Most of the journalists given the permission by the Ministry
of information were reportedly blocked from the coverage, only
a handful of foreign journalists were allowed and the state-run
media, according to the Universal Television Director, Ibrahim
Mohamed Jeekey, who held a press conference at Badbaado camp
2.
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