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Friday,
July 24, 2009
Journalism is increasing becoming a hazardous profession in Somalia,
with six journalists killed this year while on the line of duty, a
seminar in Nairobi heard Friday.
Several others have been injured or received death threats.
“These journalists have been killed while trying to be impartial in
their coverage of news and other events,” Mr Omar Osman, the
secretary-general of National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) told
participants at the forum that included Kenya Vice President Kalonzo
Musyoka.
Owing to the lawlessness in Somalia, it has become very difficult for
journalists to operate in the country.
No foreign journalist can survive in the Horn of African country, Mr
Osman added.
NUSOJ, he said, has organized a three-day meeting at Panafric Hotel in
Nairobi to show solidarity with Somalia journalists as they share their
horrifying experiences.
The journalists will also be able to learn doctrines of journalistic
independence as they identify rights and wrongs of their profession, Mr
Osman said.
Mr Musyoka, who officially opened the seminar, applauded Somali
journalists for their bravery and courage saying without them, the
international community would not have been able to follow events in the
country.
However, he said, there have been accusations that the media has been
perpetuating chaos and anarchy as a platform for their survival by
taking sides in the conflict.
Mr Musyoka said the allegation is serious adding that it needs to be
investigated.
A number of journalists from the lawlessness country have been forced to
flee the country after escaping death during attacks targeted on them.
Source: Daily Nation, July 24, 2009
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