NUSOJ Protests Against The Arrest of Media Bosses in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The National Union of Somali Journalists [NUSOJ] protests the arrest of two radio directors in the overnight of 11th February 2014 by the National Security Agency NSA, the latest in a string of attacks against the media in Somalia.

Members from the National Security Agency NSA detained Mohamed Barre Haji, the owner and the director of Danan Radio and Ibrahim Mohamed (Ibrahim Yare), the director of Haatuf Radio in Mogadishu on Tuesday night. Both radios are independent and privately owned based in Mogadishu.

It is not yet clear the reason behind their arrest. Both journalists were keot in a SNA's special detention in Mogadishu since Tuesday evening.

Somali government and the officials of the NSA did not comment publicly on this arrest.

"They were missing since last night. It came to our knowledge today and we do not know why they were arrested" Journalists from Danan Radio who spoke on condition of anonymity told NUSOJ today.

National Union of Somali Journalists [NUSOJ] protests the arbitrary arrest against these radio directors and condemns all sorts of violations against the press, while it calls their unconditional release.

"It is unfortunate to learn the arrest of our colleagues and call for their prompt release," Mohamed Ibrahim NUSOJ Secretary General said, "It is unacceptable to detain the journalists illegally and without court orders".

The arrest of the media directors comes ahead of World Radio Day celebrations expected

In a separate incident, NUSOJ recalls the Somaliland authorities to lift the ban against Universal TV and allow this independent television to resume its operations in respect to the freedom of expression and media freedoms.