Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah has not offended Somali journalists

Major news networks such as the VOA reported that, the head of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Omar Faruk Osman said that comment by U.N. Special Representative Ahmedou Ould Abdallah “’motivates’ those who have carried out recent fatal attacks against journalists in the war-torn country.” The UN envoy’s comments came in the wake of an attack on Amisom forces that led to the death of many Somalis in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. "What happened is to divert attention from what is going on here [Djibouti], and as usual to use the media to repeat Radio Mille Colline, to repeat the genocide in Rwanda," Ahmedou Ould Abdallah was quoted as saying.

In response to the UN envoy’s remarks on the role of Somalia media in the conflict, the head of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Omar Farkuk Osman said : “[U.N. Special Representative for Somalia’s ] statement sends a worrying signal to journalists and entire media fraternity in Somalia, particularly when it is from United Nations’ Highest Ranking diplomat for Somalia. He has to apologize and withdraw that statement and make a public commitment to defend the rights and the professional independence of the journalists”

On 4 February Said Tahlil Ahmed, a veteran Somali radio director was shot dead in Mogadishu. No group has claimed responsibility for the murder of journalist. It is in this context that Omar Faruk Osman, believes that the UN envoy “motivates” those who put the lives of Somali journalists at risk.

Is NUSOJ head right to ask for an apology from Ahmedou Ould Abdallah? He isn’t because evidence is on the side of the UN envoy.

In February 2009 high ranking representatives from Mogadishu independent media outlets met to discuss their role in the new political developments in Somalia. Among the topics they agreed on:

1- To avoid transmitting live religious sermons from mosques because in the past religious sermons were misused to put across political views.

2- Not to conduct live radio press conference. The Islamist organisations and anyone who is keen to conduct press conference is asked to inform the media chiefs of news organisations who can send reporters even if the press conference is taking place in a region.

3-Not to interview anyone who (a) is not known to the Somalis or (B) if his/her topic is not known; (c) and not to exaggerate a new faction or a political novice who can’t contribute anything to society. People to be quoted should not be those who have come to the attention of the public through our media centres

4 - To promote anyone who is advancing the cause of peace; not to report news that can create tension or problems.

Those four points on which Mogadishu based independent media representatives agreed support Ahmedou Ould Abdallah remarks and clearly undermine NUSOJ head’s call for an apology. Why should some politicians and religious men retain the privilege to have their political opinions “ exaggerated” while new factions and political novices are denied the “the oxygen of publicity” enjoyed by their peers? Will Mogadishu’s major independent radio stations—Horn Afrik, Simba, Somaliweyn and Shebellle—report on an incident between two clans if they consider reporting on the incident as having the potential to create more violence? Their attitudes—enshrined in point 4-- are as abhorrent as kill-the-messenger mentality.

On the basis of what Mogadishu media chiefs agreed on, it is clear that Mogadishu radio stations poured more fuel on the conflict that was/is raging between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia’s forces and insurgents. In the absence of press law, it is inevitable that Somali media chiefs resort to writing codes of conduct devoid of professionalism. In the self-proclaimed Somaliland Republic, there is a press law that does not allow setting up private radio stations. There is only one radio station –Radio Hargeisa. Somaliland authorities are aware of possibility of misusing private radio stations to fan clan animosities. The effect of the incendiary printed word can be lessened but the power of the inflammatory spoken word can have devastating impact in Somalia. That is why Somaliland promotes free press rather than free radio to avoid the Radio Mille Colline scenario.

The National Union of Somali Journalists has done an exemplary job of promoting the rights of the Somali journalists and the need to protect them against prickly authorities. Omar Faruk Osman can undo the NUSOJ achievements by demanding an apology from Ahmedou Ould Abdallah whose remarks are backed by evidence continentally and nationally. Omar Faruk Osman ought to apologise to Somali journalists for rushing to judgment.