Hubaal, Somaliland's critical and much-beleaguered daily newspaper, is
back on newsstands after a presidential pardon last week. The paper was shuttered
on orders of the attorney general in June without explanation. In April, two
gunmen, subsequently identified by authorities as police officers, raided
the office of Hubaaland attacked
its staff after a series of critical articles accusing the government of
nepotism and misuse of office. Editor Hassan Hussein and Managing Director
Mohamed Ahmed were both convicted
on defamation charges last month and given prison terms. The two journalists were
released on bail and are appealing their convictions.
New York, January 5, 2012--The Committee to Protect
Journalists calls on authorities in the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland
to explain why they have held two journalists without charge since Monday.
Do you believe the free flow of information must be protected? Sign the #RightToReport petition and demand that President Obama immediately:
1. Issue a presidential policy directive prohibiting the hacking and surveillance of journalists and media organizations.
2. Limit aggressive prosecutions that ensnare journalists and intimidate whistleblowers.
3. Prevent the harassment of journalists at the U.S. border.
Or click here to see the full petition, and join leading journalists like Christiane Amanpour, The Guardian’s Alan Rusbridger, Editor of the AP Kathleen Carroll, and Arianna Huffington in signing on.
https://cpj.org