PRESS STATEMENT 17/2017

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in Somalia Michael Keating has noted the recent introduction of legislation in Somalia’s Federal Parliament that would amend the country’s 2016 media law.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s cabinet approved a package of amendments to the media law in July that fulfilled a commitment he made to Somalia’s leading media associations within weeks of taking office. The amendments drew criticism from those media associations and some international human rights organizations for their limited scope and the introduction of new restrictions on existing press freedoms.

The proposed changes to the media law will be addressed by the Federal Parliament in the coming weeks. The UN urges lawmakers to give due consideration to the concerns raised by prominent members of Somalia’s news media about the existing law and the proposed amendments approved by the federal government’s cabinet.

“A free and independent news media is essential for accountability and democracy,” said SRSG Keating. “Some provisions of the current media law do not appear to comply with international standards of media legislation and regulation. A careful and comprehensive review of the law and the proposed amendments will allow all key stakeholders to present their views. I hope the outcome of such a legislative process will promote a better environment for Somali journalists to practice their profession without fear.”