[ad_1]
Friday, July 26, 2024
On July 22, journalist and head of Dawan TV, Alinur Salaad, was detained by Mogadishu regional police on charges of false reporting and insulting the armed forces. On July 23, Salaad was brought to court and detained for 45 days while investigations are conducted and possible charges are prepared. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), condemned the arbitrary arrest as an attack on press freedom and called for Salaad’s immediate and unconditional release.
Journalist Alinur Salaad was detained shortly after being detained for a minute video The reports posted on Dawan TV and his personal social media accounts went viral, attracting widespread attention from the public and the media. In the videos, Salad accused Somali soldiers of trading in khat, a mild narcotic plant, which led authorities to charge him with false reporting and insulting the armed forces. The journalist has also published several sensitive reports on national security issues.
Salaad is currently hold He was arrested at the Varberg police station, according to his colleagues. Police issued a statement detailing the charges and announcing his upcoming court appearance. The journalist’s arrest quickly sparked condemnation from several journalists and media organizations.
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Require The unions demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Salad, arguing that his arrest was intended to suppress press censorship. The unions claimed that Salad’s arrest was politically motivated and aimed at silencing critical voices in the media. Characterization NUSOJ believes that Salad’s detention is a direct response to his reporting on sensitive issues, such as the involvement of Somali soldiers in the khat trade and potential political collusion.
NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Farouk Osman explain, “The arrest of journalists for reporting inconvenient truths without adequate legal basis or due process is completely unacceptable and we condemn it in the strongest terms. Journalists are responsible for bringing issues of public concern to the public eye and examining them.”
Tim Dawson, deputy secretary general of the International Federation of Journalists, said: “Authorities must uphold press freedom and ensure journalists can work safely. Journalists must focus on issues of public interest and hold those in power to account. They should not be arrested for their reporting. Journalism is not a crime.”
[ad_2]
Source link
