Somalia: State of the Media Report Exposes Relentless Repression, Urges Urgent Action on World Press Freedom Day

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) marks World Press Freedom Day with the launch of its State of the Media Report, laying bare the harsh and deeply entrenched repression faced by journalists in Somalia.

This annual report, now in its 14th year, provides the most comprehensive and credible documentation of media freedom violations such as attacks on journalists and systemic threats to the independent practice of journalism in Somalia.

Despite the welcome fact that no journalist was killed in 2024 – the first such year since 2005 – the report finds that the media remains under siege from state and non-state actors alike.

Throughout the past year, journalists have been blindfolded, detained without charge, physically assaulted, and silenced for doing their jobs, highlighting that fear and censorship continue to shape the media landscape.

The report documents 25 serious violations of media freedom, the majority involving unlawful arrest and detention, used not as law enforcement tools but as instruments of intimidation and punishment.

Somaliland emerged as the most dangerous region for journalists, followed by SSC-Khaatumo and Banadir regions, where violations ranged from violent raids to torture and enforced disappearances.

Police forces and security agencies are identified as the leading perpetrators, responsible for over 80% of all recorded violations, underscoring a systemic pattern of abuse by state actors.

While impunity for crimes against journalists remains widespread, the report makes clear that silence is not an option – Somalia must act to deliver justice and rebuild trust.

In a deeply troubling trend, the report highlights how legal and administrative mechanisms – including a proposed constitutional amendment, the Official Information Bill, and a registration directive – are being weaponized to tighten control over the media.

Economic exploitation of journalists is also rampant, with many working without contracts, fair pay, or protections – conditions that threaten not only their well-being but also the integrity of journalism itself.

Female journalists continue to suffer in silence, with 21 documented cases of sexual and gender-based violence in 2024, exposing the gendered nature of media repression and the urgent need for structural reform.

NUSOJ stresses that the fight for media freedom in Somalia is not only about physical safety, but about dignity, justice, and the right to speak truth to power without fear.

The report calls for immediate action to end the culture of impunity, improve journalists’ working conditions, and halt all organised efforts aimed at institutionalising censorship.

“As Somalia stands at a crossroads after decades of relentless repression of journalists across nearly every region of the country, protecting journalists must become a national priority. Without a free media where journalists can operate safely and in conducive working conditions, there can be no genuine transition to democracy, let alone lasting progress and good governance,” said Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of NUSOJ.

NUSOJ dedicates this report to the resilience, bravery, and determination of Somali journalists who continue to serve the public and defend the truth in the face of threats and hardships.

“Journalists in Somalia continue to endure what no professional should ever face – fear, violence, and uncertainty, simply for telling the story. This report challenges those in power to choose accountability over abuse and respect over repression. Journalism is not a threat – it is a lifeline for a peaceful and stable Somalia, where a just rule of law prevails,” declared Osman.

Source: The State of The Media Report by NUSOJ