The Human Rights Journalists (HRJ) expresses dismay over the so called safety protocol for media houses and journalists developed by IMS/FOJO founded and funded media hate group of SOMA,SIMHA and SWJ that is aimed at exploiting the safety funds for Somali journalists.
The above stated media owners associations who met in Mogadishu today 15 August, have exclusively declared the endorsement of safety protocol for journalists and media houses without consulting with other media stakeholders including journalists unions, press freedom defenders and other media outlets that are not member of SOMA and SIMHA. This is yet another scheme in which the media owners are attempting to seize every opportunity to dictate journalists and press freedom defenders.
The Human Rights Journalists criticizes the so called safety protocol and safety mechanism as prejudiced and preposterous that Somali journalists and media organizations were not part of. HRJ believes that it is quite despicable to see a group of media owners proclaiming to be representing the journalists they consistently exploit by denying them their due right.
“The Human Rights Journalists (HRJ) regrets to see IMS and FOJO pooling resources to media owners and managers that abuse journalists by making them work without contracts, annual or sick leave or sometimes without pay. It is also reprehensible to see IMS/FOJO funding media owners and managers that sexually harass female journalists according to a baseline study conducted by IMS/FOJO financed SWJ.” Said Abdulkadir Farah Dulyar, Secretary General of HRJ.
“HRJ is convinced that all-inclusive and well-designed safety mechanism is the only solution to the safety challenges that Somali journalists and media outlets are facing. No particular individuals or groups can manipulate media interests in Somalia so, let sanity prevail.” Mr. Abdulkadir added.
The Human Rights Journalists (HRJ) appeals to IMS and FOJO to stop discriminating among Somali media stakeholders by fostering SOMA, SIMHA and SWJ all of which founded by IMS and alienating others. HRJ has endured a lot of pressure from IMS and its affiliates SOMA, SIMHA and SWJ which left no stone unturned to obliterate the Human Rights Journalists but HRJ will not be discouraged by that pressure and is determined to work hard to defend press freedom and journalists.
The Human Rights Journalists (HRJ) finally recommends all Somali media stakeholders and international NGOs and other donors that support Somali media to show mutual respect and collaboration to achieve our ultimate objective which is promoting press freedom and freedom of expression in Somalia.
The Human Rights Journalists (HRJ) is a nonprofit organization that was established in 2017 whose mandate is to defend press freedom and rights of journalists in Somalia. Email: info@hrjsomalia.org Website: www.hrjsomalia.org Tel: +252612121616