Somali Cabinet Approves Appointment of Media Council Members

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal Government of Somalia’s Council of Ministers, in a sitting chaired by Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre Thursday approved the appointment of members of the Somali National Media Council.

The appointments marks a major step in efforts by the Federal Government aimed at reforming the country’s media and comes after the passage of the media law by both houses of parliament and its subsequent ratification by the President.

The newly appointed nine-member council, proposed by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, includes a diverse group of individuals tasked with steering the nation towards a modernized media framework.

The recently passed law put in place measures for the setting up of the council which will oversee the transition transition from government-controlled media to public broadcasting, signifying a shift towards greater media independence and public service in broadcasting.

The council’s members are; Abdirahman Mohamed Adan, Mohamed Shil Hassan Shil, Muna Omar Hassan, Yusuf Hassan Mursal, Ahmed Mohamed Abdi, Mohamed Abdullahi Koshin, Hinda Dahir Jama, Abdulkadir Osman Abdisalan and Fatuma Yusuf Said.

The Council of Ministers also passed the Official Data Bill and ratified a tax agreement with the United Arab Emirates aimed at preventing double taxation and tax evasion.

This agreement is part of Somalia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its economic relations and foster development.

Also, the council also ceased the practice of holding government agency meetings abroad, emphasizing the capability and readiness of Somalia to handle its affairs internally.