MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Media activists in Somalia voiced concern on Monday about a government order issued on Saturday that had banned journalists from covering reports on the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab.
Farah Omar, the Secretary-General of FESOJ media association, told a press conference in Mogadishu that the move was a shame on the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and is aimed at “muzzling” press.
Somali media activist Abdalla Mumin said the government is planning a clampdown on press to stop journalists from reporting ongoing clashes between militants and government troops independently, adding that that will leave citizens entirely disconnected from the world of impartial and independent news.
Journalists have already stopped reporting attacks by militants due to fear of reprisals from the government, the media activists said, calling for a further interpretation of remarks made by Somali Deputy Minister of Information on Saturday.
Al-Shabaab, an armed Al-Qaeda-affiliate group in Somalia, called on journalists to remain unbiased, but the government warned that those who fail to comply with its order will be prosecuted.
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