Goobjoog Media Group calls for immediate release of its producer Hanad Guled

 

Goobjoog Media Group has condemned the kidnapping of Goobjoog Television producer Hanad Ali Guled and called for his immediate release.

In a statement Saturday, the Group director Hassan Mohamud termed the kidnapping of its staffer, Guled an affront to media freedom in Somalia adding efforts at silencing journalists in the country were disturbing.

“Mr. Guled’s kidnap is yet another stain in the conscience of the media industry in Somalia and adds to disturbing trends of concerted efforts at silencing journalists determined to pursuing the truth and standing in the gap for the voiceless in Somalia,” said Mohamud.

Family sources and colleagues say Guled was kidnapped by hooded men outside his home in the outskirts of Mogadishu while heading to work. There are no reports yet about his whereabouts.

“Goobjoog Media Groups condemns the kidnapping of Mr. Guled and unequivocally calls for his unconditional release,” the statement read in part.

Meanwhile the National Union of Somali Journalists Secretary General Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu said Guled’s kidnap was a matter of concern for the media fraternity in the country and called on the government and security agencies to ensure Guled’s immediate release.

“We are very concerned for the safety of our colleague and we don’t know where he was taken to, therefore we request government security agencies to take an urgent action to make sure the journalist to be released from captivity” Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu said.