IFJ Condemns Arrest of Shabelle Journalists in Mogadishu

IFJ Condemns Arrest of Shabelle Journalists in

Mogadishu

Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Date: 30 Mar 2011

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned in the strongest terms possible the arrest and continued detention without charge of the Director of Shabelle Media Network, Abdirashid Omar Qase and the Station's News Editor, Abdi Mohammed Ismail who were taken into custody by members of the National Security Agency of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The journalists were arrested on Sunday, 27 March 2011, in relation to a story that was aired concerning the failure of the President, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, to tour areas captured from the extremists group, Al -Shabaab.

According to a letter received from the Shebelle Media Network, the arrest of the journalists was specifically ordered by the Minister of Information, Post and Telecommunications, who accused the radio station of broadcasting false news.

"The arrest of the two journalists can only be seen as an act of intimidation and a cruel attempt to prevent the journalists from executing their duties," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office. "The Somali Government must recognise the rights of journalists who report on these events with objectivity based on the public' interest and their right to know. It is undemocratic to blatantly suppress such views through arrest and intimidations."

Our IFJ affiliate in Somalia, NUSOJ, said that the arrest of the journalists depicts the level of intolerance from the transitional federal government for independent and factual news reporting and condemned the security forces of the TFG for cracking down on independent journalism,"

The IFJ calls on the TFG to release Abdirashid Omar Qase Abdi Mohammed Ismail with immediate effect and to respect the rights of journalists and the rule of law.

" The government must demonstrate its commitment to the principles of accountability by enforcing freedom of expression.

For more information contact the IFJ at +221 33 8679586/87

The IFJ represents are 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide.