Puntland Bars Journalists from Front-Line Reporting, Orders Use of ‘Official Sources’ Only

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GAROWE: Authorities in Puntland have imposed strict measures against media reporting of ongoing military offensives against the ISIS militant group.

The Ministry of Information announced the measures Saturday noting it was necessary top protect the safetyuy of journalists and secure the operations of the Puntland Security Forces.

In the directive, the Ministry warned that journalists cannot visit frontlines without the authorization of the government and that journalists can only rely on official sources while reporting the ongoing military operations. The directive is however, likely to compromise the accuracy and objectivity of reports on the operations.

The directive adds to a series of restrictions the easterly state has imposed in its bid to counter the ISIS group. The state government has since rounded up several foreigners and issued strict guidelines on entry and stay of foreigners.

This follows revelations that several ISIS fighters are from foreign countries.

On January 28, a military court in Garowe sentenced a prominent YouTuber- Mohamed Yaqub Siyad to ten years in jail for disseminating content which authorities said was in support of ISIS. Siyad is based in Germany.