Government agents posing as journalists threaten safety of news media, INSI says

Source : INSI 16.07.2009

Brussels, 16 July -- The International News Safety Institute on Thursday expressed grave concern over reports that two French security agents kidnapped in Somalia had been posing as journalists.

The men were abducted in Mogadishu on Tuesday from the Sahafi Hotel, which is regularly used by the news media. Officials and witnesses said the two, on an official security mission to the Somali government, had checked in as journalists.

"We sympathise with the men and their families and trust they will soon be released free from harm," said INSI Director Rodney Pinder. "But we are dismayed by reports they were posing as journalists."

"This directly affects the safety of all journalists in Somalia -- currently the most dangerous country in the world for the news media -- and elsewhere. Journalists are already in great danger in many parts of the world and actions that fuel suspicion of their true identities and roles must be condemned."

The security advisers had been sent by the French government's General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) to provide security advice to the transitional government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.

INSI understands the French government's first priority must be to secure the release of the two men, but seeks assurances that any practice of government security agents posing as journalists will be strictly forbidden.

The French agents' pretence has been strongly condemned by the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders.

More than 40 news media staff have died trying to cover the news around the world this year, five of them in Somalia, according to INSI's records, available on http://www.newssafety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=109&Itemid=100536

Canadian reporter Amanda Lindhout and Australian photographer Nigel Brennan are still being held hostage since they were kidnapped near Mogadishu on 23 August 2008.

INSI is a non-governmental organisation devoted to the safety of journalists and other news media in dangerous situations around the world.

Any questions on this news release should be address to Rodney Pinder, email rodney.pinder@newssafety.org or tel: +44 7734 709267