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Somali Journalists Rights Agency |
Fighting for journalists' Rights, Development, freedoms and safety
We promote press freedom in Somalia by defending the rights of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about SOJRA?
Who we are?
Headquartered in Mogadishu the capital city of Somalia, the Somali Journalists rights agency (SOJRA) is an independent not for profit and not for governmental Agency founded in 2007.
This agency was formed specifically to build strategic frame work and process in order to defend the rights of journalists and press freedom in Somalia, this agency uses the accounting and administrative system of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs).
SOJRA is committed to establish journalists and media professionals empowerment programs that are dedicated to social change and struggles to harness Somali journalists energy and passion to build a democracy oriented society that promotes positive values such as; peace, democracy, equality, good governance and justice.
SOJRA is gratefully Fighting For Journalists’ Rights, Freedoms and development of all Somali journalists all over Somalia as well as by publicly revealing abuses against the press and by acting on behalf of imprisoned and threatened journalists.
What we do?
1- Defends journalists and media assistants imprisoned or persecuted for doing their job and exposes the mistreatment and torture of them in many countries.
2- Fights against censorship and laws that undermine press freedom.
3- Works to improve the safety of journalists especially those reporting in war zones.
4- To Publish articles, news releases, editorials and especial reports by defending and development of press freedom and rights of journalists.
5- To Share information on breaking cases with other press freedom organizations worldwide through the International and local partners and also members such as Space for change in Africa (Kabissa), Humanitarian Media Foundation (HMF). And Committee of Concerned Journalists (CCJ).
5- To maximize the benefits of communication media in Somalia for the public good by: - Maintaining the human rights agenda in Somalia.
How is SOJRA funded?
SOJRA is funded solely by contributions from individuals, companies, and foundations. SOJRA does not accept government funding.
How SOJRA does defend journalists?
By publicly revealing abuses against the press and by acting on behalf of
imprisoned and threatened journalists, SOJRA effectively warns journalists
and media organizations where attacks on press freedom are occurring.
As well as organizes vigorous public protests and works through diplomatic channels to effect change.
How SOJRA does classify attacks on the press?
SOJRA classifies cases according to the following actions:
Attacked: In the case of journalists,
wounded or assaulted. In the case of news facilities, damaged, raided, or
searched; non-journalist employees attacked because of news coverage or
commentary.
Censored: Officially suppressed or
banned, news outlets closed.
Expelled: Forced to leave a country
because of news coverage.
Harassed: Access denied or limited;
materials confiscated or damaged; entry or exit denied; family members
attacked or threatened.
Imprisoned: Arrested or detained by a
government entity without charge for at least 48 hours.
Killed: Murdered in retribution for,
or to prevent, news coverage or commentary. Also includes journalists killed
in crossfire or while covering dangerous assignments.
Threatened: Menaced with physical harm or some other type of retribution.
Objectives
1. To promote universal human rights standards.
2. 2. To conduct investigation documentation, monitoring and advocacy and promote behavioral change regarding journalists rights in Somalia.
3. Support community based initiatives.
4. Keeping of journalists’ rights report.
5. To represent journalists in all places where topics relating to the profession.
6. To normalize and develop relationships involving the employees and employers.
7. The protection and development of freedom of expression and democracy to enable the citizens to express their feelings liberally at any time.
8. To move up the importance of journalism in the society by implementing a professional code of ethics.
9. Raise awareness at all levels through advocacy to create a supportive environmental for peace.
10. To defend the common interest of the nation and the coexistence of the Somali people.
11. To promote the rights of women journalists and not to discriminate them in the media, and to guarantee their appearance in all structures of the agency.
12. To promote and encourage of cooperation and unity among Somali journalists.
13. To protect and promote the rights of freelance journalists.
14. To counsel and support victims of journalists rights abuse.
15.To make awareness programs about the problems of HIV/AIDS for the Somali Journalists.
16.To talk about the natural and man made disasters.
17. To monitor and document free expression violations throughout the country and to share them with agency members and international partners.
18. To advocate for legislative / policy reform and to influence policy makers and legislators to guarantee freedom of the expression in Somalia in local and national level.
19. To engage international partners in the promotion and defense of free expression in Somalia.
SOJRA is Mogadishu-based independent, not for profit and not for governmental agency that works the safeguard of Somali journalists., Tel: +252-1-223421/ +252-1-284357-Nairobi::+254 (0) 729 724 329/+254 (0) 733 893 841 Email: info@sojra.org / sojra2007@yahoo.com URL:: www.sojra.org
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FREE EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:
 SOJRA
pressures the Puntland Foreign Relation Minister that Puntland
Administration to stop the pressure and arresting against the Puntland
Journalists |
Al-shabaab
Group continues media transgressions in coastal town of Kismayo in southern
Somalia
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SOJRA
lashing to
Somali Red Crescent (SRC) in Las Anod in sol-region of Somalia
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