SOMWA commemorated Somali Press day (Full Report)

SOMALI MEDIA WOMEN ASSOCIATION (SOMWA)

21st January Somalia Mass Media Day.

INTRODUCTION

Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) held 21st January mass media day in Manchester Guest house in Baidoa. They invited all stakeholders and media owners in the region in order to celebrate 21st January being the mass media day in Somalia.

Mass media day was launched in 1973 when former military regime started to introduce Somali language to be written and started mobilizing a lot of teachers to the illiteracy areas to fight or eradicate illiteracy in the country at large. The mobilization was through newspapers which belong to government, radio station and through drama/ plays.

The mission became successful after two years; at the end of 1974 everybody could write and read in his/her own language. Aftermath, the military regime started sanctioning mass media and made dictatorship by refusing freedom of mass media, freedom of expression in the society at large. Until the end collapse of the government in 1991 but today it is 36th anniversary of Somali mass media in Somalia.

Today in the country there are a lot of newspapers, radio stations and freelance journalist who are bringing updates every minute but journalist faced a lot of problems in the country especially for those who are working in the conflict areas and they encounter death, threats, torture and harassment.

Somalia Media Women Association (SOMWA) conducted the ceremony at Manchester guest house where all stakeholders were invited some of the members of parliament, religious leaders, women groups, youth and community elders came and regional leaders commorated this important events to mark 36th anniversary of mass media in Somalia.

The events started with recitation of a verse of Holy Quran by Sheikh Hassan and followed by chairlady of Somalia Media Women Association (SOMWA) Mrs. Maryan Seile and her speech goes as follows:-

SPEECH BY SOMWA CHAIRLADY
Ladies and gentlemen, first and foremost let me take the opportunity to great you all, Asalam Aleikum Warahmatulahi Wabakaratu” and thanked all the members of this vital day which is a mark in our country Somali that was going under civil war for the last 19 years.

Today is a very important day for mass media in Somalia because it is the day for media men and women, civil society to celebrate in communeration and make important events to mark the day of Somali media.

On behalf of our independent women initiative media organization, I send a vote of thanks to our local journalist who for all these time work in hardship areas to get news, events and stories to update the marginalized community.

Ladies and gentlemen today the 21st January 2009 we are celebrating and every date of this same month should be marked as Somalia media day. By so doing we shall revive the Somalia media day which was initiated after the launch of Somali alphabets in 1972 and first print publication in Somalia known as “Xidegta October” meaning the star of October where STELLA D’ OTTOBRE was used before the initiative.

This legacy which left in historic moment to the community at large to mark this important day give a particular date in favour of local journalist and reporters which was later made dormant.

My dear country men and women, if we may ask ourselves what is the essence of journalist celebration? Yes we do celebrate during colonial era the media association was sanctioned and put into control by colonial masters. Similar trend persisted during the military regime making things status quo.

During 1960 upto 1969 there was many newspapers written in various languages i.e in Arabic, English and italic i.e Sawtu Somalia, alwadan and monthly edition paper known as “la tribuna” which was the initiative of Dr. Ismail Jimale Osoble. The paper was operating on freelance and later abolished by the barres military regime. Monopoly of the only radio station was loyal to government and one newspaper which belonged to the military government till 1991.

Today we are undergoing the process of democratization and media is free and independence in the whole country whether prints or Audio vision committed to serve the community in daily, weekly and monthly editions and programs.

More importantly people express their views through this Medias. Despite most population in Somalia are illiterate, the fact is that the society is “Oral society”

Ladies and gentlemen, for the last 18 years journalist and reporters in Somalia faced a lot of threats, torture, killings etc away to impose sanction by warlords and other dictators. The aim of harassment is the way for the interested parties (warlord & dictators) to hide the truth from the society. Because of the real and constructive idea with high objectivity enlightened to the community, the worst killings happened in 2007 and 2008.

Many journalists lost their life, others disabled and many other fled out of the country. Some have been tortured but those who survived have never stopped their role and responsibility and one undergo performing it at their own risk for the betterment of their society.

Last year 2008, the following incident happened to journalist according to data collected by Somalia media women association (SOMWA)
Journalist killed - 2
Injured - 8
Kidnapped -9
Arrested aimlessly - 40
Tortured -23
Attacked -2

This entire incident happened to the above journalist while performing their duties. Ladies and gentlemen finally on behalf of Somalia media women association. I appeal to high persons, war lords, TFG and other Islamist parties to respect and assist journalist because they are people of integrity working for you and the country and thus deserve respect. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
After the end of her speech of the chairlady Maryam Seila followed by Ibrahim Abukar (Fanah) who was among journalist who were present at the time of Somalia mass media day 1973.Mr Ibrahim stated that during those time and now there is total difference because of those days there was sanction, no freedom of expression at all, every article or speech will edited by military representative and if they find some irregularities they will arrest you, but now except killings and harassment there is danger for journalist to work in conflict areas.

Followed by former Minister for information Mr. Madobe Nunow who spoke by saying journalist are very professional in this conflicts and danger zones however they faced a lot of problems they never stopped there activity thanks for the efforts and working for the people and country.Then followed by spokesman of Digil mirifle community Mr. Fowzi Abdi nur who has sincerely congratulated journalist who working in this danger zones in our country are still showing there community efforts and without becoming tired to work for their society. They deserve respect and will be welcomed then followed by Mrs. Qamar Adan former Minister for health transitional federal government. Mrs. Qamar thanked Somali Media Association (SOMWA) for there hard work and showed good example to the society. Mrs. Qamar congratulated all journalist who are performing their duties in danger zones and still working for there society and country especially female journalist. They deserve a lot but sooner or later time will come who has assisted his people and country sincerely or who did not. She appreciated Somali media women association (SOMWA) for their hard work and arranging this important day. She concluded and thanked all members for their punctual attendance.

THE SLOGAN OF THE YEAR
DON’T INTERRUPT REPORTER
DON’T KILL HIM/HER
SUPPORT THEIR ACTIVITY
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