Garowe — Puntland Ministry of Information and Media Association of Puntland (MAP) have agreed on Puntland second draft media law on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.

An event held at New Rays Hotel in Puntland capital of Garowe was attended by Puntland Information Minister Pro. Ahmed Sheikh Jama, former Information Minister and the current Planning and International relations Minister Mohamud Aideed Dirir, the Secretary General of the Media Association of Puntland Burhan Ahmed Dahir, journalists and the heads of Civil Society organizations.

Abdifatah Sugulle, a PUNSAA official who initially spoke to the participants, explained the stages in which the draft media law went through and how they brought together the Information Ministry and the journalists who were at loggerheads over the proposed draft media law before Puntland non state actors association (PUNSAA) organized experts for the law to be reviewed and edited it in an agreeable manner.

On his side, MAP Secretary General Burhan Ahmed Dahir commended the role of PUNSAA and stressed the need for media law to establish clear separation between the authorities and the journalists.

Mr. Dahir also blamed the Somali Federal Government for isolating Puntland journalists from the consultations on Somalia's draft media law.

"The draft media law proposed by the Somali Federal Government is not inclusive and Puntland journalists did not participate and had no role in its implementation," said Mr. Dahir.

Former Information Minister and the Minister of Planning and International Relations Mohamud Aideed Dirir said the agreeable media law will be put forward to the cabinet and the parliament for approval soon.

Puntland Information Minister Ahmed Sheikh Jama who gave the closing remark told the participants that the draft media law complies with international standards of freedom of expression and requested former information Mr. Dirir to cooperate with his ministry in order to finalize the remaining processes.

Puntland Draft Media Law initially spawned controversy between the journalists and the ministry but it was later transferred to Puntland non state actor association for amendments.