The African Democracy Forum (ADF), a network of over 450 democracy and human rights organizations throughout Africa, is deeply concerned by the persistent and escalating attacks against journalists and news media organizations in Somalia.  The ADF has been informed by its member, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), thus so far this year, six Somali journalists have been killed; 40 have gone into exile; 30 have received death threats; and 15 have been illegally detained by authorities.  In addition, numerous media houses have been closed, program contents censored, and music and songs prohibited.  The ADF calls on the governments of Somalia, Puntland, and Somaliland to take steps to ensure the safety of journalists and respect freedom of expression.  The ADF also urges the Somali government to comply with the recommendations on the UN Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia, whose mandate was renewed by the Human Rights Council on October 2, 2009.