Wednesday March 15, 2017
By SAAD MUSE
Somalia is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be journalist [Reuters]
MOGADISHU, (CAJ News) -SOMALIA is increasingly becoming a dangerous territory for journalists as 13 have been killed over the past two years in targeted attacks or while they report assignments.
At least six journalists have survived assassination attempts.
On Sunday morning, Abdihamid Mohamed Osman, a technician and editor at Universal television network, was driving to work in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, when a bomb planted in his car exploded.
He is receiving treatment for serious wounds.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Failure to bring perpetrators such as influential government figures and only investigating attacks blamed on the Al-Shabaab terror group in the incidents is seen as encouraging the onslaught on the media
“Somalia remains an incredibly dangerous place to be a journalist,” said rights advocate, Laetitia Bader.
She said lack of credible investigations into attacks on journalists in Somalia creates enduring fear and self-censorship among the country’s press.
Rights groups and media have appealed to new president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, to intervene to ensure investigations into these and other politically motivated attacks are probed.
“Somalia’s journalists have shown enormous bravery. Their new president should take concrete action to help keep them safe,” Bader said.