Hiiraan Online
Sunday September 30, 2018
Galkayo (HOL) - A court in Somalia's Galmudug State on Sunday sentenced a journalist to six months in jail for what it termed "False news", a journalists’ rights group said.
The authorities detained Mohamed Abdiwali Tohow on September 22.
The arrest followed a report broadcasted the previous day for the Mogadishu-based Radio Kulmiye alleging that the militant group Al-Shabaab was regrouping in parts of the State.
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) which condemned the sentence has termed it “outrageous and the harshest punishment” given to a journalist in recent times in the Galmudug State of Somalia.
“This is a devastating blow to press freedom in Somalia but we are determined to pursue the fight for our colleagues' freedom,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, NUSOJ Secretary General.
“This sentence is all about cowing independent media into submission to local government's control and it is preposterous to even suggest these journalists represent a danger to peace and security.”
There was no defence lawyer and an independent witness at the time of the court's verdict, according to NUSOJ.
“This is clearly an unfair and unjust sentence which adds to the anxiety of our colleagues and their families, we shall do all we can to make sure his release and we call on the pressure groups and international community to condemn this blatant violation and put pressure on Galmudug to withdraw this disgraceful decision and free Mohamed Abdiwali Tohow in order to carry out his noble services to the people” Abdifatah Hassan Farah NUSOJ Deputy Chairman who is based in Galmudug said.
Mohamed contributes to several stations, including the London-based broadcaster Universal TV.
Somali journalists frequently receive threats but police rarely investigate them or adequately protect reporters. Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries for media workers, 59 journalists have been killed since 1992, soon after a civil war began in the Horn of Africa nation, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.