Somalia - Alerts
The African Union soldiers deployed in Somalia have been suspended and returned to their home country of Burundi for potential trial after an internal investigation found them responsible for the shooting death of a Malaysian journalist.
Radio Voice of Peace journalist Hassan Mohamed, better known as Anteno, was shot by unidentified gunmen in the coastal town of Bosasso.
Hurriya Abdulkadir had complained of repeated threats by unknown callers over her coverage of the conflict between government troops and militias.
A police officer warned other journalists that they too should be assaulted if they published unflattering reports about government officials.
After a prominent cleric linked to the Al Shabaab leadership condemned journalists as "apostates" who should be sentenced to death, NUSOJ voices concern for journalists' safety.
Sources indicate that Ahmed Muse Mohamed was arrested without a court warrant on the orders of the local governor.
Malaysian journalist Noramfaizul Mohd Nor was covering the activities of a humanitarian aid group when he was struck by a bullet allegedly fired by African Union troops.
This is the second time the Daljir radio station has been attacked, and no action was taken against the perpetrators of the previous incident.
Farah Hassan Sahal, who works for Radio Simba, was shot outside the station by a soldier who is believed to either be with the African Union Mission or Transitional Federal Government.
The president of Puntland granted a pardon to Faysal Mohamed Hassan, who was serving a prison sentence for publishing a "false news report".
Radio Jowhar has been forced to limit its reporting to news and information that is favourable towards the militant group.
Following nationwide condemnation of the heavy sentence against Faysal Mohamed Hassan, Puntland authorities are reportedly threatening to exile him to Ethiopia.
"The way the TFG and Al-Shabaab media cover the current conflicts degrades the quality, critique and objectiveness of the media they control," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
"Armed groups on all sides of the conflict must stop using the media as pawns," said CPJ.
IFJ is concerned about consistent politicised actions against NUSOJ members and its leadership aimed at preventing them from carrying out their legitimate activities.
Journalist Abdifatah Mohamud Aidid faces imprisonment if he is unable to pay a US$1,000 fine within 30 days.
NUSOJ expressed concern over the indiscriminate shelling in Mogadishu which resulted in the bombardment of the "Xog-Ogaal" private newspaper.
Radio Shabelle manager Abdirashid Omar Qase and news director Abdi Mohamed Ismail were released unconditionally after being held for three days.
Abdi Mohammed Ismail and Abdirashid Omar Qase were arrested upon their arrival at security agency headquarters in Mogadishu and were denied access to food, legal representation, and family.
Liban Abdi Farah was arrested when he attempted to report on a bomb blast in Galkayo.
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