IFJ Calls for Media Community's Participation in Peace Talks, Legal Protection of Press Freedom
TORONTO, 12 MARCH 2003--World Journalists Support Demand for Somali Media Delegation To Join Peace Conference in Kenya.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today renewed calls on the regional Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, responsible for organising the current Somalia peace talks, to guarantee formal participation by the Eastern Africa Media Institute (EAMI) Somalia Chapter as the formal civil society representative of the Somali media community.

Last month, on 19 February, the IFJ formally approached the conference organizers on the same issue. However, the Somali media community are still denied the right to participate fully. Almost all civil society groups in Somalia are represented, except for the media. The IFJ strongly believes that journalists should be involved in all policy discussions on media regulation, freedom of the press and freedom of expression.