|
Government has approved guidelines for local media to report events. It is start of freedom of speech making Somalia fairly open compared to other countries in Africa.
Mogadishu,(insidesomalia.org) - Somali Parliament has voted a new media law on Saturday at Baidoa by large majority. 145 voted in favour while 6 voted against and 8 abstained consequently backed up as official, says Mohamed Omer Dalha, first deputy Speaker of Somali Parliament who chaired the Meeting attended by 159 legislators.
The new Media law coincides with after Banadir local Authorities lifted a ban on three radio stations in Mogadishu: Radio Simba, Radio Shabelle and Radio Banadir on December 4, after more than 21 off the air.
“From today, the newly approved law will be acted upon” said Seynab Mohamed Amer, member of Somali Parliament speaking to insidesomalia.org from Baidoa on the telephone line.
“No more deviations, everything will be clear either from government or from the media side” she added.
The new media act guarantees freedom of press, code of ethics and respecting code of conducts and in it law documents that deals with a specific point safe guarding media profession from suppression.
Prior to ratifying the media law, Mayor of Mogadishu Mohamed Omer Habeb “Mohamed Dhere“, with representatives of Mogadishu Radio stations met for the second day last week discuss about reopening banned radio stations.
Banadir regional authority would like to ban broadcasting of interviews with Shabab, armed opposition forces fighting against the TFG backed by Ethiopian troops.
In addition radio stations can not report on counter insurgency operations and fighting in Mogadishu unless given approval by government by officials.
The media group in Mogadishu warmly acknowledged the parliament’s approval on the media regulations as a conquest for all the Somali Media in the course of violence in the capital, Mogadishu
Being Journalist / Reporter in Somalia is dangerous business, so far this year 18 Somali Journalists were killed including two prominent influential Radio Journalist; Mahad Ahmed Elmi, director of Radio Capital Voice and Ali Iman Sharmarke, co director of HornAfrik Radio and Television.
Number of small independent broadcasters appeared after the 1991 when the military regime of Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted. Prior to 1991, government controlled all press.
 |
News in English 
Subscribe to this comment's feed