Associated Somali Journalists (ASOJ) criticizes formation of purported independent media taskforce by Minister Mustaf Dhuhulow to reform media law of Somalia.

Mustaf Dhuhulow selected members of the committee from his ministry and his clan cronies. Mustaf claims to have given 10 members to independent media but it is known fact that members of this 10 were selected on basis of their connections with Mustaf’s Murusade clan. Almost all the members are either Murusade, married to Murusade or were born by Murusade.

“What we see today is use of tribalism to destroy independent media” said Dahir Alasow, Chairman of ASOJ. “This is a new style of overpowering the media and we will not sit idle and watch it”.

ASOJ counsels Minister of Information to discontinue using tribalism in media and stop unclothed conspiracy against journalists whom he wants to divide. Somali journalists strongly disallowed this nomination and called into question what Mustaf Dhuhulow has been saying all along.

“Indeed sweet talk of Mustaf Dhuhulow was to cheat us in order to reach end goal of curtailing independent media” Alasow said. “Now we know it and we will fight attempts by this Minister”.