Somalia: Somali Officials Cannot Claim COVID-19 Information Monopoly, RSF and Nusoj Say

press release

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the National Union of Somali journalists (NUSOJ) call on the Somali authorities, including federal member states and Somaliland, to refrain from claiming a monopoly of information about the coronavirus crisis and ensure that reporters can fulfil their vital role of informing the public in a free and independent manner.

Access to state-held information about the coronavirus crisis is becoming more and more difficult and closely controlled in Somalia. In Mogadishu, the federal government's ministry of health and human resources set the tone on 3 March when it summoned journalists to explain what to do and not to do during Covid-19 crisis. The minister told them that Covid-19 related information could only be obtained from the deputy minister and the coronavirus task force spokesperson. But reporters have found it difficult in getting the information they need from these sources. At the same time, NUSOJ and RSF have established that other relevant sources have been told not to talk to journalists. This means that journalists have either been unable to report vital information to the public or have been forced to use pre-recorded video clips and statements prepared by the health ministry.

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