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Somali Journalists Arrested, Intimidated While Covering COVID-19

Sirwan Kajjo

   WASHINGTON - Somalia's prime minister has classified media as an
   essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic, but at least four
   journalists have been briefly detained over their coverage.

   As of Friday, Somalia had 80 confirmed coronavirus cases and five
   deaths and authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew in Mogadishu,
   where most of the cases were recorded.

   Journalists covering the virus, including reporting on the availability
   of personal protection equipment or traders allegedly smuggling in
   goods during the quarantine have been detained and in some cases forced
   to drop their stories.

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