Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
A newly released State of the Media Report has laid bare the relentless repression faced by journalists, urging immediate action to safeguard press freedom as the world marks World Press Freedom Day. The report, published by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), provides a stark assessment of the dangers confronting media professionals, documenting widespread violations, intimidation, and systemic efforts to silence independent journalism.
Despite a rare milestone—no journalist was killed in Somalia in 2024 for the first time since 2005—the report warns that media freedom remains under siege. Journalists continue to face arbitrary arrests, physical assaults, and censorship, with state and non-state actors using fear tactics to suppress critical reporting. The findings highlight 25 serious violations, the majority involving unlawful detentions designed to intimidate and punish journalists rather than enforce the law.
Somaliland emerged as the most dangerous region for journalists, followed by SSC-Khaatumo and Banadir, where violations ranged from violent raids to enforced disappearances. Security forces and police agencies were identified as the primary perpetrators, responsible for over 80% of recorded abuses, reinforcing concerns about state-led suppression of press freedom.
The report also exposes how legal and administrative mechanisms are being weaponized to tighten control over the media. Proposed constitutional amendments, the Official Information Bill, and restrictive registration directives are being used to institutionalize censorship, further limiting journalists’ ability to operate freely. Economic exploitation remains rampant, with many journalists working without contracts, fair wages, or protections—conditions that threaten both their livelihoods and the integrity of journalism itself.
Female journalists continue to suffer disproportionately, with 21 documented cases of sexual and gender-based violence in 2024. The report underscores the gendered nature of media repression, calling for urgent structural reforms to protect women in journalism.
NUSOJ has stressed that the fight for press freedom is not just about physical safety but about dignity, justice, and the fundamental right to speak truth to power without fear. The organization has called for immediate action to end impunity, improve journalists’ working conditions, and halt all efforts aimed at institutionalizing censorship.
“As Somalia stands at a crossroads after decades of relentless repression, protecting journalists must become a national priority,” the report states. The findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, media organizations, and international watchdogs to take decisive action in defense of press freedom.
The global observance of World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the critical role journalists play in holding power to account. As threats to media independence escalate worldwide, the report’s revelations highlight the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the rights of journalists and ensure a free and independent press.