Somali Journalists Confront Challenges of Security, Impunity and Standards

A Somali national journalists' conference launched in Nairobi, Kenya on July focused on the threats posed by the high rate of killing of journalists, kidnappings, torture and intimidation of media professionals, and heard calls for an end to the culture of impunity that has been the scourge of media activity in Somalia since 1991.Among other issues there was also on the agenda of the meeting the challenge of setting professional standards for media in one of the world's most dangerous hotspots for journalists.The three-day conference (24- 26 July 2009), held under the theme: Professional Journalism: Responsibility in a Situation of Violence and Insecurity, and organized by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) aimed to prepare a comprehensive action plan for ethical journalism and a call for fresh solidarity in the region with Somali journalists.The conference was focused on issues such as: the insecurity of journalists in Somalia , the doctrine of independence, the role of Somali journalists in inflaming or easing the violence and conflict, imbalance and censorship, support and solidarity for ethical media, combating impunity, decent working conditions as foundation for quality journalism and solidarity, professional ethics and media regulation. Let us bear in mind that this year alone, since January 2009, six journalists have been killed in targeted and pre-meditated attacks aimed intimidating the entire media community in Somalia .The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Secretary-General, Aidan White, said Somali journalists must strive for professionalism and ethics. But, he said, it is also the responsibility of government and the Somali community to ensure that the journalists work and exist in decent conditions.. "Indecent and unfavourable working conditions expose journalists to manipulation and abuse by the political class for propaganda purposes."The Central Organization of Trade Unions-Kenya (COTU) Secretary-General, Francis Atwoli, bemoaned the perilous conditions in which journalists work, saying it was time the world community intervened directly to end the lawlessness and impunity in Somalia . He said COTU was ready to help NUSOJ to set up an office in Nairobi to enable it run its affairs without fear or intimidation.Appealing for support and solidarity from the world community to tackle the problem of insecurity of journalists in Somalia and that of impunity, Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary-General, said media professionals in his country have become targets of those who hate the truth. The situation has deteriorated "from rule of law to the rule of guns".