The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is concerned over the safety of journalists as fresh wave of attacks against journalists happened since the year started after journalist Mohammed Shidane Daban was arrested on Friday 4 January 2008 at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport by security forces of the Transitional Federal Government. Mohammed Shidane, who works for Private owned Banadir Radio, wanted to fly from the airport and all his documents and baggage were taken away by the security forces. He is being detained in unidentified place.

On Thursday 3 January, Journalist Mohammed Bashir Hashi, who is working Radio Shabelle, was injured in Wardhigley district of Mogadishu by fires exchanged by Government forces and Insurgents in the district. When injured, the journalist was collecting voices of people fleeing from the area and the sound of gunshots. Some of the eyewitnesses said that one armed man fired towards the journalist and he was injured at the shoulder and the left hand.

"We condemn the act that wounded colleague Mohammed Bashir Hashi and wish him immediate improvement" Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. "Fighting sides must not target journalists and they must know that they have an obligation to protect civilians including journalists".

"We demand immediate and unconditional release of Mohammed Shidane Daban, as we believe that his detention is fairly related to his journalistic work" said Omar Faruk Osman.

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