19 July 2024: The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) firmly opposes the Federal Government of Somalia's approach to the Official Information Bill (OIB), as it is clearly detrimental to the fundamental principles of democracy, accountability and human rights.
19 July 2024: The National Union of Somali Journalists firmly opposes the Federal Government of Somalia 's approach to the Official Information Bill , as it is clearly detrimental to the fundamental principles of democracy, accountability and human rights. While the initiative to legislate for enhanced transparency and access to information is commendable, the current text of the Bill is deeply flawed.
The provisions related to national security within the OIB are particularly concerning. The Bill's broad and ambiguous definitions of national security information grant extensive powers to national security institutions. This not only threatens the right to access information but also poses significant risks to human rights and democratic governance.
"The excessive authority granted to national security institutions within this Bill promotes a culture of secrecy, counteracting the goals of openness and public trust. We urge the government to withdraw the current draft and undertake meaningful revisions." 3. Revise the objectives of the OIB to reflect the spirit of the right to information, emphasising transparency, accountability and the empowerment of citizens.
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