The Somali government postpones the approval of the media bill
The Cabinet of the Somali Federal government today in their regular meeting postponed the approval media bill prepared by the ministry of information.
The cabinet meeting was chaired by the deputy Prime Minister and minister for religious affairs of Somalia Ridwan Hersi Mohamed, discussed the draft submitted by the minister of information Mustaf Sheikh Ali Duhulow before requesting the minister to make amendments to some articles and return it to the cabinet on Monday, 1st September 2014 for detailed discussion.
Some of the media owners and professional journalists are skeptical on some articles, saying the bill does not have enough precision in its current form to provide journalists with the guarantees they need to work freely.
Meanwhile two media outlets that are accused of inciting the public and encouraging them to oppose the disarmament campaign were recently shut down by the government after raiding their premises in the capital, detaining some of their staff as three of them still remain in jail.
Recently, Reporters Without Borders(RWB) cautioned the Somali cabinet against adopting an incomplete and overly restrictive media bill.
“The bill does not have enough precision in its current form to provide journalists with the guarantees they need to work freely. We urge the cabinet not to approve as it stands, and instead to insist on the drafting of a consensual bill that guarantees freedom of information for the Somali people.” (RWB) said.
However the bill has positive aspects. It enshrines the major principles and specifically refers to article 18 of the constitution and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also provides for an “independent” public broadcaster and defines journalism in an open manner.
on the other hand, the cabinet today passed a bill on National Education.