Garowe, Puntland, Somalia – 20 Jan 2015:- Media Association of Puntland (MAP) has expressed serious concerns over Golis Telecommunication Company’s move to block at least five websites from Puntland regions on late October 2014. The websites, including Puntlandtoday.com, Galgalanews.com, Puntlandnow.com, Jidbaale.com and Xaysimo.com had been banned by the company following an order from Puntland presidential palace’s communication office without any court ruling. “We call upon Golis Telecommunication Company to lift ban on the websites unconditionally, the block of these sites is another black mark on freedom of press in Puntland, and It’s an attempt to silence freedom of press,” said Fatima Mohamed, MAP secretary. “It’s unfortunate that this move had not been informed by Puntland ministry of information, Media Association of Puntland, the regional court and who ever this matter concerns, which is another violation”. Fatima notes. MAP believes the move taken by Golis Telecommunication Company to ban websites completely goes against the constitution of Puntland, freedom of press and Human Rights. This is one of the latest of a wave of violations against press freedom in the war-ravaged horn of African county. - See more at: http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/p ... WY8Lf.dpuf
Update: Few minutes later, Garowe Online was also banned.
GAROWE, Somalia Jan 20, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Leaked Puntland Government blacklist reveals blocking order that would have targeted Garowe Online News Agency amid concerns over the freedom of information and rife media censorship in the northeastern state, Garowe Online reports.
A presidential decree dated September 20, 2014 but leaked to the outlet on Tuesday asks the largest telecom operator in Puntland, Golis to block Garowe Online, Galgalanews, Xaysimo, Puntlandtoday, Puntlandnow and Jidblaale from inside the regional state.
The six sites with Garowe Online listed first were blamed for defaming high-ranking government officials, public incitement and turning local tribes against each other.
Media Association of Puntland (MAP) has reacted at the web censorship, urging the government to lift ban on the five other websites that have been remaining banned since October when the decree came into effect.
“We call upon Golis Telecommunications Company to lift ban on the websites unconditionally, the block of these sites is another black mark on freedom of press in Puntland, and it’s an attempt to silence freedom of press,” MAP Secretary-General Fatima Mohamed Mohamud said in a press statement from the fraternity.
Al though the blocking order failed to affect Garowe Online, the sister publication of Radio Garowe that broadcasts daily on FM stations in Puntland capital of Garowe, Eyl Coastal Town and Bossaso Port City, the Agency’s founder Mohamed Abdirahman vehemently condemned the presidential order.
“Garowe Online Editors and Staff Writers who celebrated 10th anniversary in February 2014 refute the false allegations mentioned in the presidential decree,” said the founder.” We are known for balanced coverage by Peace-loving Somalis and International Community”.
Garowe Online founder indicated that the order doesn’t comply with the constitution and runs counter to the right to freedom of expression.
No judicial writ was attached to the decree, with Garowe Online board members saying they are deeply concerned with the unilateral moves and call on officials at the ministry of information to let blocked sites resume operation.
On December 11, Reporters Without Borders unveiled it is worried about freedom of information in the autonomous northeastern region of Puntland.
The concern by press watchdog came after Nugal regional police commander Ahmed Abdullahi Samatar threatened Radio Garowe journalist Ali Abdi Du’alle with arrest.
Of 180 countries, Somalia was ranked 176th in the 2014 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.
- See more at: http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/p ... bva0Q.dpuf
