Rob Macaire

Somalia - Independent Journalism

Over the last week a group of journalists from  South Central have been here in Nairobi for a conference.   As always, it is sad that the situation in Somalia makes it necessary to have such events here.   The participants all know that Somalia is just about the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a journalist.  They talked movingly of the colleagues who had been killed, the pressure they come under from the insurgents, and indeed the lack of commitment to press freedom that they experience from the authorities, be it in Mogadishu, Somaliland or Puntland.   They told us that they felt under pressure from all sides.  The conference was organised by a Dutch NGO 'Press Now'  alongside the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), with the laudable aim of encouraging courageous and independent journalism in Somalia, and mobilising international support.
 
Press freedoms are important everywhere.  But Somalia is an extreme case.  There, intimidation and violence against journalists can prevent even the basic facts being reported freely.  And if people cannot hear independent news, let alone comment, the path out of conflict and disorder will be even slower.   What was impressive about this event was that there are still so many dedicated journalists in Somalia, who want to make a contribution to the improvement of governance in their country.  For their sake and Somalia's, let's hope that the freedom of the press can be extended and strengthened.  The international community certainly can play a part, but the government and regional authorities need to be committed too.  One thing is clear:  the extremist insurgents who are threatening the country and the region will do everything they can to prevent independent reporting.  In that, as in so many ways, they are fighting against the interests of the Somali people.

Posted at 15:58 30 November 2009 by Rob Macaire  |  Comments[4]