Somalia Warns Media and Social Media Accounts Against Spreading Terrorist Propaganda

Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has issued a strong warning to all media institutions, websites and social media account administrators that deliberately participate in preparing and spreading propaganda for terrorists and militias allied with the Al-Shabaab militants led by Abdiasis Laftagareen.

The warning references the Media Law, the Counter-Terrorism Law, the Amendment to the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, the Somali Penal Code, and previous regulations issued to prevent the spread of terrorist propaganda.

The Federal Government of Somalia does not accept the use of media and social media to organize attacks, encourage recruitment into terrorist groups, or incite armed violence that destabilizes the country's security and terrorizes the Somali people.

Anyone found to have deliberately used media or a social media account to participate in or facilitate the criminal acts mentioned above will face legal action.

Any person who uses media or social media for criminal acts, including facilitating, financing or encouraging terrorist acts, will be pursued under applicable laws, based on the evidence and the individual's responsibility.

Anyone against whom sufficient evidence is found of deliberately providing financial support to terrorism or participating in its financing will be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

The Ministry calls on media institutions and social media account administrators to refrain from the acts mentioned above and to comply with the country's laws and journalistic ethics.