Targeted Attacks on TV journalists in Northern Somalia

Targeted Attacks on TV journalists in Northern Somalia

MOGADISHU, March 22, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) strongly protests violent attacks against TV journalists in Las Anod town in northern Somalia by the Somaliland troops.

Mohamed Abdinur Hashi, journalist working for Somali Chanel TV, and Mohamed Shaqale, reporter working for Universal TV, were Tuesday morning attacked in Las Anod by Somaliland soldiers for filing reports that Somaliland army deemed contrary to the their forces. Mohamed Hashi was arrested, while Mohamed Shaqale is in hiding in Las Anod but his laptop computer, camera and recorders were confiscated. Somaliland forces are reportedly searching him in Las Anod.

?This violent attack is shocking. It is intolerable that journalists who went out to cover the conflict in Las Anod were targeted for simply doing their job,? said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. ?Both Puntland and Somaliland forces must allow journalists to enter, work and travel freely within Sool and Sanaag regions without fear of attack or arrest?.

NUSOJ calls on Somaliland authorities to instruct their forces in Las Anod to release without delay Mohamed Abdinur Hashi and return completely confiscated equipment of Mohamed Shaqale, while guaranteeing his security.

Source: National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

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