IREX mourns the loss of Nasteh Dahir Farah, vice president of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) until his untimely death in Kismayu, southern Somalia, on June 7, 2008 at the hands of armed gunmen. IREX partners with NUSOJ in compiling data from experts in the Somali media community for IREX's Media Sustainability Index, which measures country media environments across a range of indicia, including freedom of the press, quality of journalism, business management and supporting institutions. At the time of his death, Nasteh Dahir Farah worked as a correspondent for the Associated Press, the BBC Somali Service, and Reuters. He leaves behind a wife and an infant son.
Mark Whitehouse [5], Director of Media Development for IREX, said, "IREX expresses its condolences to the family of Nasteh Dahir Farah, to his colleagues in the media and civil society community in Somalia, and to his colleagues at the National Union of Somali Journalists. His death is a reminder of the challenges faced every day by journalists in Somalia as they confront violence from those attempting to silence the voice of independent media. This senseless killing may have silenced this one voice, but his tireless work for free expression in Somalia will be continued by his colleagues and his role in bringing professional media and freedom to Somalia will be remembered."
IREX pays tribute to the courageous journalists of Somalia who persevere in service to their profession in spite of the tremendous obstacles.
