The leadership of the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Somaliland today held an important meeting to discuss the state of the media and the legal concerns it faces.

The Chairman of SOLJA, Shaafi’i Mohamed Ibrahim, presented to the Chief Justice complaints related to the detention of journalists and the use of the Penal Code to prosecute offenses committed in the course of journalism—an issue that has raised serious concern.

For his part, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Somaliland, Aadan H. Cali, welcomed the leadership of the Association and emphasized that the judiciary respects media freedom as enshrined in the applicable laws, and that the judiciary will cooperate with them within the limits of its mandate. He also offered practical advice on how the media could uphold the law and take responsibility for the information it delivers to the public.