sool_boy Posted July 17, 2009 Friday, July 17, 2009 New York (CPJ) The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the attack on reporter Aweys Sheikh Nur on Wednesday by security guards during a court session in Bosaso, in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia. Five security guards beat the reporter with their AK-47 rifle butts after he took photographs in Bosaso Court, he told CPJ. Puntland officials in the court, including Judge Mohamed Ali Aware, did not intervene as the guards assaulted Nur, according to journalists who were in the courtroom. Nur, a reporter for the private Netherlands-based Horseed Media, at left, went to Bosaso GeneralHospital to treat back and neck pain, he said. He was among several journalists attending a packed trial for several men suspected of piracy, Horseed Media reported. According to Abdiqani Hassan with the Media Association of Puntland, the judge ordered journalists not to take photos in the packed courtroom but Nur was not present for the announcement. "Beating a journalist for taking photographs is utterly unjustified. The fact that no one in a court of law stopped the guards is even more reprehensible," said CPJ's Africa program coordinator, Tom Rhodes. "Puntland officials should punish the guards and ensure that journalists can do their work without fear of being attacked." Minister of Security General Abdullahi Said Samatar, based in the capital Garowe, said he was unaware of the incident but told CPJ he would investigate the matter. In late June, Deputy Information Minister Abdishakur Mire Adan and the son of Puntland's president, Mohamed Abdirahman Farole, told Horseed Media to remove a May 11 article posted on their Web site, according to the editor-in-chief of Horseed Media, Mahad Mussa. Mussa told CPJ the article was a follow-up to two stories written by the New York Times alleging links between the Puntland government and a pirate leader named Abshir Boyah. Horseed Media refused to take the article down. The media company has investigated links between the pirates and certain Puntland officials. Source: CPJ, July 17, 2009 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rudy-Diiriye Posted July 17, 2009 Originally posted by sool_boy: Friday, July 17, 2009 In late June, Deputy Information Minister Abdishakur Mire Adan and the son of Puntland's president, Mohamed Abdirahman Farole, told Horseed Media to remove a May 11 article posted on their Web site, according to the editor-in-chief of Horseed Media, Mahad Mussa. Mussa told CPJ the article was a follow-up to two stories written by the New York Times alleging links between the Puntland government and a pirate leader named Abshir Boyah. Horseed Media refused to take the article down. The media company has investigated links between the pirates and certain Puntland officials. Source: CPJ, July 17, 2009 Amazing thing about Afri-politics is that the whole family wants to rule. So whats does Middle-finger's son doing here harassing journalists? So freaking ugly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thankful Posted July 18, 2009 In late June, Deputy Information Minister Abdishakur Mire Adan and the son of Puntland's president, Mohamed Abdirahman Farole, told Horseed Media to remove a May 11 article posted on their Web site, according to the editor-in-chief of Horseed Media, Mahad Mussa. Mussa told CPJ the article was a follow-up to two stories written by the New York Times alleging links between the Puntland government and a pirate leader named Abshir Boyah. Horseed Media refused to take the article down. The media company has investigated links between the pirates and certain Puntland officials. How are people remaining silent now? This Abshir Boyah is this same one that President Faroole son met with and took a journalist to interview. President Pirate TimesUK Our meeting takes place at a virtually deserted farm 15km outside Garowe. Mohamed is the son of the newly elected president of Puntland and does not want to be seen in public cavorting with pirates. Moreover, Boyah has recently contracted tuberculosis and Mohamed insists that we meet him in an open space. The major Puntland sites are being intimidated from writing the truth, why would they be making it up. A simple picture will get you beat. However people remain silent and turn a blind eye. How are things getting so much better if the truth is being with held, why is the President SON telling them to remove unfavorable articles? That's what Garoweonline did for years. Why is he meeting with Pirates to? Gaalkayo In recent months, the town has been the scene of violent attacks among local clans and militiamen have staged attacks on government outposts, including the prison. Gaalkayo is attacking government buildings and the majority doesn't recognize the admin. This is Garoweonline writing this to (Ina Farooles site). Why are they so upset? The delegation was sent there to try and calm the people. If they inherited a huge mess that's one thing, but meeting pirate leaders, beating up journalists and demanding sites remove unfavorable articles is inexcusable. The only thing that gets me is that people are too critical with other admins. But when evidence is presented to them that show the person they support engaging in illegal activity they remain completely silent. 1) The media is being intimidated by the president son according to puntlandpost and now horseednet. 2) President son is meeting pirates. 3)Galkayo is furious with the government. Maybe Reer Gaalkayo know that if they had a leader elected that was born in the biggest pirate base people would have been accusing him of using those funds to win the presidency (especially when all of it exploded the year of the election) or Maybe they are upset that the President rarely ventures out of Garowe or maybe that the presidents son who has no official role in the government is intimidating people. But yeah, I guess the number 1 thing that gets me was the uproar in the past about corruption and now the silence when western and Puntland sites are writing these articles!! It is mind boggling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poker Posted July 18, 2009 There is always two sides of the story. You just can't walk in and flick comera and take pictures while court is in progress. No where in th e wold allows that. However, beating is bit too excessive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Somalia Posted July 18, 2009 ^^^ Lest you forget: TIA(This Is Africa!) :cool: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thankful Posted July 18, 2009 Poker, It is only the beating that is concerning, if photographers were allowed in the court room and told not to take the pics (which makes no sense) then confiscate the camera's. In other parts of the world if photographs are not allowed then they wouldn't let you bring them in. No need to beat! Lest you forget: TIA(This Is Africa!) Lets not turn a blind eye to the injustices going on or find excuses. We blamed the former admim for corruption, now lets make sure we point out corruption now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Somalia Posted July 18, 2009 ^^^ "injustice"? "excuses"? "corruption"? What you on about mate? Homie got a beat down, simply because he aint supposed be taking no damn pictures in the first place. Now, where is the "corruption" in that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rudy-Diiriye Posted July 18, 2009 So Mr Somalia, u like the oppression that uncle middle-finger is doing!! lool. Tell us how much u love uncle Middle-Finger! we are all ears!! Now u beginning to stink like a dead fish...lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thankful Posted July 18, 2009 Mr. Somalia, the people back home are fully aware whats going on and that's why Gaalkayo is where it is. They won't turn a blind eye! The media is being intimidated and the truth is coming out to the rest of the world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Somalia Posted July 18, 2009 ^^^ Oh, the poor media! Why are we supposed to give a damn about the Media? Seriously? Those folks are so unimportant, in the greater scheme of things in Somalia. p.s I spoke to GaalKacyo this very morning, and barwaaqo iyo bashbash baa taalay ee what is this "truth is coming out to the rest of the world" business, you speak of? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thankful Posted July 18, 2009 Garoweonline-Galkayo This is from President Farooles son's own website. Gaalkayo is definitely peaceful and good, they just have major issue with the admin. In recent months, the town has been the scene of violent attacks among local clans and militiamen have staged attacks on government outposts, including the prison Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Somalia Posted July 18, 2009 ^^^ And you stating that it is from "President Farooles son's own website" is important because...??? :confused: As for GaalKacyo having so called "major issues" with the administration;--Thi s is no big deal! Only a unique approach to leadership is required in that city. For Gaalkacyo is indeed a very unique locale in Puntland. And it is precisely because of this one peculiarity, that the administration has decided to adjust it methodology of governing the city. Sending that delegation earlier this month was simply a start. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
