Somali Journalists Rights Agency on OJR

Training programs have opened for twenty Somali journalists exiled in Kenya on Thursday 27th November organized by SOCFEX funded and supported by International Media Support (IMS).

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:50:46 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: Training programs have opened for twenty Somali journalists exiled in Kenya on Thursday 27th November organized by SOCFEX funded and supported by International Media Support (IMS).

The training program aims to support the exiled Somali journalists to stay in the journalism professional as well as update their journalistic skills. A total of 20 of both gender (9 female and 11 male) have been selected to participate in this training. There are more than sixty journalists who have been exile in Kenya since late 2007.

The training was without controversial because of the limited space of numbers of twenty against the sixty exiled journalists some felt left out.

Nevertheless, the training opened smoothly and expected to cover areas of journalism critical to Somali journalists such as reporting in war zone, conflict reporting, ethics of journalism, freedom expression, media democratization, conflict sensitivity and most of important of all conducting journalism to help bring peace in war torn countries like Somalia.

The training will be facilitated by media experts from Kenya and Somalia, it is expected to last for four weeks.

The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries including members of the Somali transitional federal parliament (TFP), Jane Ramma, program assistance of EU office for Somalia, Abduba Mollu from CFLI- Somali Coordinator (Canadian International Development Agency) and other distinguished guests.

Those who spoke at the ceremony included Jane Ramma who said the training is for good cause and the EU supports and encourages the Somali journalists. Similarly, Abduba Mollu emphesised to the trainees to take advantage of the opportunity, and added media has a big role to bring peace into Somali.

The deputy speaker of the TFP Prof. Mohamed Omar Dalha, also spoke at the ceremony encouraged the trainees to take full advantage of the opportunity and should be thinking of returning home despite the insecurity and violence because he said without journalists in our beleaguered country the plight of our people would have known.

The Coordinator of Somali Coalition for Freedom of Expression (SOCFEX) Mr. Osman Moallim who also spoke at the ceremony concurred with the deputy speaker by emphasizing that the media and journalists could be used as a force for peace.

Mr. Moallim also added that the media have been subjected to continuous attack, harassment and abuse by warring parties in the country. He also encouraged the trainees to update their skills especially violence evasive journalism knowledge and to return home to serve their people and country at the earliest possible opportunity.

Finally the Coordinator thanked IMS for it continuous support to Somali media without which it would have been impossible to organise such training.

The Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) is concerned about the safety of its repressentative Awale Jama Salad who was one of the four kidnapped journalists in Bossaso Puntland-Somalia.

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:43:01 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: The Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) is concerned about the safety of its repressentative Awale Jama Salad who was one of the four kidnapped journalists in Bossaso Puntland-Somalia.

The four were abducted after they left their hotel and Somali freelancers Awale Jama Salaad who is also SOJRA repressentative in Puntland and Muktar Said were seized by unknown assailants around mid-day.

Foreigners, journalists and humanitarian workers are frequently abducted for ransoms in Somalia.

Press freedom and the protection of rights of journalists are being jeopardised by the brutal actions of criminal gangs in Somalia.

Freeman and Cend�n were in the region for a week to report stories on piracy. Jama and Said, both of whom are local journalists, were assisting them as fixer and interpreter, local reporters told CPJ.

The two foreign journalists were expected to depart Puntland today for a flight to Djibouti, Agence France-Presse reported.

Freelance journalists Amanda Lindhout and Nigel Brennan who were kidnapped in August outside the capital, Mogadishu, are still being held captive.

SOJRA expressed grave concerns of kidnapped journalists� safety.

They asked the kidnappers to release the journalists as they are held solely for the exercise of their professional journalistic duties.

The Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) today condemned the today�s abduction of two western journalists in Bossaso Puntland-Somalia.

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:38:55 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: The Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) today condemned the today�s abduction of two western journalists in Bossaso Puntland-Somalia.
The journalists" nationalities could not be confirmedone was believed to be British. Foreigners, journalists and humanitarian workers are frequently abducted for ransoms in Somalia.
SOJRA has been investigating the informations of the abduction since it done to find the group who behind the abduction and no claim of responsibility was made and the motive for the kidnapping remains unknown.
�We are appalled by this cruel abduction of journalists and call for the immediate release of our colleagues � said Daud Abdi Daud,SOJRA Executive director.
Press freedom and the protection of rights of journalists are being jeopardised by the brutal actions of criminal gangs in Somalia.
SOJRA expressed grave concerns of kidnapped journalists� safety. They asked the kidnappers to release the journalists as they are held solely for the exercise of their professional journalistic duties.
How ever there are other two western journalists who are currently the hunds of Somali gangs an Australian man and Canadian woman.

Hilaal Sheik Shuceyb the Director of Warsan Radio in Baidao was arrested by the police officers in Baidoa by the order of the Bay governor region Mr. Abdifatah Ibrahim (Geesey).

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:31:30 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: Press Release
SOJRA-Somalia for Immidiate Release

Hilaal Sheik Shuceyb the Director of Warsan Radio in Baidao was arrested by the police officers in Baidoa by the order of the Bay governor region Mr. Abdifatah Ibrahim (Geesey).

The director was arrest over a report released from the radio was said to be, a perpetrator who killed yesterday by jointly operation by military and police whom the court judged the culprit and sentenced to death penalty.

Also, Hindia Sheik Mohamed who is a newscaster at Warsan Radio told Somali Journalists Rights Agency(SOJRA) over the phone that the Bay governor Mr. Geesey summoned her and told her that she will be arrested.

Somali Journalists Rights Agency(SOJRA) is very sorry and condemns the arrest and the threats of the journalists.

Media workers in Somalia always face great problems during their duties, this brought that there is no effective law and order in the country, we emphasize the higher authorities at large to consider freedom expression� said Daud Abdi Daud,SOJRA Executive director.

SOJRA is condemning today�s arrest of Ilyaas Sheikh Shucayb who is the Director of Warsan radio in Baidoa.25 November,2008

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:05 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: The Somali Journalists Rights Agency(SOJRA) is condemning today�s arrest of Ilyaas Sheikh Shucayb who is the Director of Warsan radio in Baidoa.

SOJRA is worried the situation of Baidoa journalists and this dangerouse is being brought after In a press conference held in Baidoa on Saturday, 13 September, the Governor carrying virulent attacks on journalists for reporting baseless reports about Bay region and its security situation. Abdifatah threaten that he will take action against journalists who report what his administration sees as �unfounded information� and �propaganda for terrorist opponents�.

�We clearly condemn this liable detention of our colleague Ilyaas Sheikh Shu�ayb and we demand his immediate and unconditional release� said Daud Abdi Daud, SOJRA Executive director.

Force on the independent media is swelling even after continual promises of fortification for journalists by the TFG and TFP.

SOJRA welcomes the winning of Somali Cameraman to the International Rory Peck Award 19 November,2008

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:59:27 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: SOJRA welcomes the winning of Somali Cameraman to the International Rory Peck Award 19 November,2008 continue reading .

Somali news cameraman Abdullahi Farah Duguf has won the 2008 Rory Peck Award for News. The award honors freelance coverage of on-the-day news, where the focus is on the immediacy of the story. The winning footage Two Weeks in Mogadishu was shot in September 2007 and describes the human misery in the war-torn capital.

Abdullah Farah Duguf, known as 'Duguf', has been working as a cameraman in Somalia since 1993. He has also worked extensively with international broadcasters and agencies as a fixer, in particular APTN. Duguf says that the deteriorating situation in Somalia over the past two years has made it almost impossible for him and most other journalists to operate there. He has decided to seek refuge in Djibouti for the foreseeable future.

Duguf's footage shows distressing scenes of violence, destruction and human misery in Mogadishu as the insurgency erupted into almost daily battles on the streets. Duguf captured the terrifying level of violence on the streets where there is nothing to shield local people - or journalists. At one point he became a target himself. In the city hospital he met a man whose wife and three children had just been killed in a mortar attack on their home. And in the makeshift camps outside the city, a woman asked him to film her starving children.

The judges said the film had "drama, vividness, humanity and context". One said: "This is one of the most difficult stories in the world to tell. But he told it with clarity, courage and an amazing eye for detail. The camerawork is extraordinary in the circumstances."

Duguf says: "In this civil war local journalists have become a target. During this filming assignment I received a lot of threats and intimidations as have other journalists, but despite this danger I worked very hard to ensure I remained anonymous. Never in the past 17 years have conditions been so insecure, dangerous and chaotic."

To read more about the Rory Peck Awards 2008, click here.

Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) strongly criticizes the closure of Radio Gaalkayo station, and the arresting of the director of the radio a popular radio in Gaalkayo Mudug region.

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:34:01 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) strongly criticizes the closure of Radio Gaalkayo station, and the arresting of the director of the radio a popular radio in Gaalkayo Mudug region.

The president of semi-autonomous region of Puntland in North-eastern Somalia Mohamud Muse Hirsi (General Adde) ordered the closure of the radio and the Director Hassan Mohamed Jamac.
�Puntland elections Journalists and the radio stations faced harassments arresting and received intimidating phone calls. by authority and tribal leaders for their reporting on private affairs of Puntland officials and factional politic� said Daud Abdi Daud, SOJRA Executive director.

SOJRA is overpoweringly concerned of ongoing harassments and intimidations of journalists and media directors in semi-autonomous region of Puntland in North-eastern Somalia.

�We demand from Puntland president to end battle against media professionals and cleave to their officials responsible for their attacks against the media and as well as release immediately the director of Radio Gaalkayo� Daud Abdi added.

The growing hostility against journalists and media outlets obstructs the freedom of expression in the country there for In this observe, SOJRA is requesting the parties to the conflict in Somalia to respect journalists and their stations and help the journalists work for the country.

SOJRA is shocked to find out and condemning the arrest of freelancer journalist

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:47:50 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: The Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) is shocked to find out and condemning the arrest of freelancer journalist Abdi-asiis Suleiman Ahmed, in Las�anood on 01 November, 2008 and this is not the first imprisonment of this journalist inside Las�anood district in Soul region.

Journalists in Las�anood have been receiving in the past months all sorts of threats from the administration who is keen to silence journalists.
�Las�anood officials in Somaliland administration adapted to directly and indirectly terrify journalists who want to report neutrally and in parallel� said Daud Abdi Daud, SOJRA Executive Director. �And we strappingly require Las�anood authorities to respect journalists� professional rights and to release Suleiman straight away and unreservedly� he added.

Women Journalist in Action (WOJA), extends condolence to the family, friends, and Somali media workers for the killing of Bashir Nor Gedi, which marked the 19th Octobar 2007.

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:47:26 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: Press Release

Women Journalist in Action (WOJA), extends condolence to the family, friends, and Somali media workers for the killing of Bashir Nor Gedi, which marked the 19th Octobar 2007.

Bashir Nor Gedi, Acting Chairperson and the vice chairperson of Shabelle Media Network, was assassinated at his home in the Wardhigley district of Hamarjadid neighborhood, on 19 October 2007, by unknown gunmen, according to his wife and his relatives.
The assassination of Bashir Nor Gedi seemed to be a premeditated attack, according to his family members and an eyewitness. He was the eighth media person killed in Somalia since January 2007.
Bashir was also a well known businessman.
�That was an intentional killing that has political motives�, said Fardowso Sh. Hassn, WOJA Chairlady. "It is totally intolerable and sent a clear message to each media person that his or her life was at risk because of his or her media activity. We have been appealing to political groups to end the killing of media people, but no group listened. Now is the time for the international community to take urgent actions instead of issuing statements expressing its distress and condemnation."
Shabelle Media Network had recently been experiencing attacks on its journalists and its premises. Several senior journalists of the radio station have fled Mogadishu.
WOJA appeals for immediate the release of three journalist who are now held hostages in Mogadishu.
a Canadian Amanda Lindahout, an Australian Nigel Brennan and a Somali Abdifitah Mohammed Elmi, their fixer are held hostages for ransom since August this year, when they were kidnapped near Mogadishu.
The kidnappers demand $2.5 million of ransom and threaten to kill them if the ransom is not paid.
Lindhout and Brenan are freelance journalists working in Somalia and Elmi was working as a fixer for them when they were kidnapped.
�We are very concerned about the security of our colleagues held hostages and deeply grieved by those killed in Somalia in midst of their work. We urge the negotiation party to take care of the safety of the journalists in hostage" said WOJA chairlady Fardowso Sh. Hassan. �We also extend our condolence to all the relatives, friends, colleagues and Somali people as whole for the killings of all media workers, who were targeted for their profession. May Allah rest their souls in peace."
A state of anarchy has raged in Somalia since 1991, following the ousting of former dictator Mohammed Siad Barre. In the midst of years of chaos, observers say the press has long remained vibrant despite harassment, beatings, imprisonment and increasingly, death.

Please give us your kind hand so as to continue the Activities that we are defending the Rights of the Somali Journalists

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:05:24 MST

By Somali Journalists Rights Agency: Please give us your kind hand so as to continue the Activities that we are defending the Rights of the Somali Journalists TO WHOM IT MY CONCERN My name is Daud Abdi Daud, the Executive Director of Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA).
I work in the field of Somali Human Rights particularly Journalists Rights and Freedom of Expressions in Somalia. I have been working this Task for about two years. Albeit, I established this Agency on November 2007, as generally I have been in the field of the Media for about sixes years. It is my first time to afraid of my self after I have been sent a mobile message of threatened killing from Somali Islamic Insurgents after they accused me that I am involving activities against Islam and therefore they threatened to my family in Mogadishu and Galgaduud in Central regions of Somalia. I do not know why they threatened me apart from my professional skills that I am defending the Rights of the Somali Journalists. I am certainly that I will continue my profession until I live. I therefore Know that The Islamists killed some of the Somali Journalists among them including Nasteeh Dahir Farah who was killed in the Coastal Town of Kismayo in southern of Somalia. It is possible that this threatening is relating the recently SOJRA�s condemnation against the destruction of the Church of Kismayo http://www.ojr.org/ojr/people/SOJRA/200810/1539/ and as well as the condemnations that SOJRA sent the Islamists captured the Kismayo Town who had meetings pressure the Somali Journalists in Kismayo and as well our condemnations and speaking and presentations the situations of two foreign Journalists who were kidnapped in Somalia on August 23 2008 who are currently in the hand of the Kidnappers as the kidnappers have yesterday threatened to kill them if ransom not to be paid by their native countries. Finally, I am kindly requesting you to assist me how to survive my self, as I decided to move from Kenya to other country since Kenya is neighbored by Somalia. I believe that this request is in line with your noble objective and I therefore hope that you will respond positively. Best regards Daud Abdi Daud SOJRA Executive Director
Tel: +254 733 893 841
Email: daauud27@yahoo.com
daauud@sojra.org