Somalia: Federal Minister accuses detained TV journalists of ‘bias against Govt’
MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 4, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somalia’s Federal Government has accused two TV journalists working for UK-based channel, Universal TV of partiality and bias in a television debate, Garowe Online reports.
On Saturday, intelligence service raided Universal TV offices, arresting East Africa Director, Abdullahi Hirsi Kulmiye and presenter, Awil Dahir Salad.
Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu, State Minister for Information Mohamed Abdi Hassan said, the moderators of the debate didn’t invite pro-government guests to the programme.
He insisted that the rule of law never sets offenders free.
Parliament critics, who appeared in the debate, said on BBC Somali Service that the arrest of two TV journalists is illegal.
Former Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo urged Somali security agencies to release the two.
UN-backed national government in Mogadishu is often criticized for scaring media workers into silence.
GAROWE ONLINE