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Why can’t you keep quite?

The killing of innocent Somali journalists is on the rise in many
places within Somalia especially in Mogadishu while the reason and the
killers both remain anonymous. Somalia has one of the most vibrant
media Sectors in the Horn of Africa yet its one of the most dangerous
places to work as a journalist.

On 20th of September 2012 it was very dark day for the Somali
journalist when two sucide attacks were targeted with Somali
journalists that gathered in a “The Village restaurant “, the attack
claimed the lives of almost 3 journalists namely: – Liibaan Ali Noor
of government owed radio station, Abdisatar Daahir Sabriye of
government owned radio station, Abdirahmaan Yasin of local radio
station called VOD, another 7 journalist were wounded in the same
attack in the sunset. During the night the whole situation was like a
ghost, every journalist slept with a heart-aching fear. The day broke
out and journalists were asking each other what is the next step,
after five hours here comes sad and shocking news when Hassan Yusuf
Absuge gunned down by the same anonymous killers making him the 4th
journalist to be killed within 24 hours.

It took me 48 hours to think about why are the journalist being
targeted and all I could find out was:

1-      Little ignorance in both the journalists and the anonymous killers

The importance of both the safety of journalists and the fight against
impunity is one of the most critical issues to be addressed to the
Somali journalists because journalists in Somalia seem not be aware of
“how to be safe and report the truth “I personally would suggest to
the journalism organizations all over the world to hold seminars about
How to be safe in the field of journalism.

2-      Dirty interest of Somali anonymous figures

The threats to the media in Somalia come from all sides – there are
powerful politicians in power battles with each other, there is the
notorious armed group al-Shabab and even wealthy businessmen can mean
danger.

3-      the entire security is a fragile

The country was in turmoil within the latest 21 years after the
collapse of the Somali central state lead by Mohamed Siad barre after
which the civil war broke out in the country.

But the most interesting story is about the government of Somalia who
never handled with any case concerning the killings of journalists but
only condemn and also the united nations which only condemns violence
against journalists and calls on its Member States to uphold their
obligations to prevent, investigate, and punish crimes against
journalists.

Many journalists were killed while covering dangerous assignments or
reporting on corruption, organized crime and other illegal activities.
As a consequence of these attacks many journalists have been forced to
resort to self-censorship in an effort to protect themselves rather
than lose their lives. In other cases, large numbers of journalists
have found themselves in prison, with many others forced to flee their
countries.

But the Somali journalists seem too committed to sort out the thirst
of news in the Somali society. And that fragile media environment has
not stemmed the growth of the media sector or discouraged young
journalists from entering the field.

Sayidali Yasin Sheik
Senior Somali journalist and activist
Sayidcali13@gmail.com

Nagala Soo Xiriir