Somalia’s Media Crisis Deepens: Journalists Face Relentless Attacks and Impunity, New Report Reveals
In Somalia, journalists are paying a steep price for their commitment to the truth. According to a damning new report by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), media professionals in the country face relentless violence, intimidation, and harassment, with perpetrators operating with near-total impunity. The findings, released today, paint a grim picture of a media environment under siege, where freedom of the press is increasingly under threat.
The report, titled State of the Media in Somalia, documents 72 media freedom violations between January 1 and December 31, 2025. Among these incidents, 70 targeted individual journalists, while two were directed at media institutions. Tragically, the year also saw the killing of Mohamed Abukar Mohamed, known professionally as Dabaashe, underscoring the fatal risks journalists face in their line of work.
Violations were heavily concentrated in specific regions, with Banadir accounting for 54.2% of cases—a staggering 39 incidents. Somaliland followed with 31.9%, while Puntland, Galmudug, Jubaland, and Southwest regions collectively saw the remainder. Attacks surged during politically sensitive periods, particularly in May and September, highlighting the dangers journalists face when reporting on critical issues such as corruption, land evictions, and security operations.
A Systematic Campaign to Silence the Press
The report reveals a clear pattern of repression aimed at stifling dissent. Journalists faced a range of abuses, including arbitrary arrests, threats, physical violence, and obstruction of reporting. These attacks were not random but deliberate attempts to silence scrutiny and control the flow of information.
One of the report’s most alarming findings is the central role played by security forces, particularly the Banadir Regional Police, which accounted for 54.2% of all violations. Despite their involvement in these attacks, not a single police officer or security official has been held accountable, fueling a culture of impunity that perpetuates abuse.
Women journalists face an even harsher reality. The report documented 29 cases of sexual and gender-based violence, with 58.6% occurring in newsrooms and 41.4% online. These attacks, often perpetrated by colleagues or authorities, are designed to intimidate and push women out of the profession, further limiting diversity in Somali media.
Legal Framework Used as a Tool of Repression
Somalia’s legal system has become a weapon against press freedom. The continued application of the archaic 1964 Penal Code, combined with restrictive provisions in the 2020 Media Law and the broad misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Law, has criminalized journalism and suppressed reporting on governance and security issues.
Journalists also work under harsh economic conditions, with many earning less than $100 a month—some as little as $20 to $50. The absence of written contracts and basic protections leaves them vulnerable to coercion and external influence, undermining editorial independence and the quality of journalism.
A Threat to Democracy and Progress
NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman warned that the assault on media freedom has far-reaching consequences. “Media freedom in Somalia is under constant assault, and impunity remains the greatest enemy,” he stated. “The killing of a journalist in 2025 is a stark reminder of the real and fatal risks journalists face. When more than half of all violations are attributed to a single police force and no one is held accountable, it sends a dangerous message that attacks on journalists are tolerated.”
Osman emphasized that ending impunity is not optional but essential to protecting journalism and the public’s right to information. He called for urgent reforms, including credible investigations into attacks on journalists, the prosecution of perpetrators, and the overhaul of laws that criminalize journalism.
A Call to Action
NUSOJ’s report urges immediate action to reverse the erosion of media freedom in Somalia. Key recommendations include fully implementing the National Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists, adopted in 2022, and improving working conditions for journalists. Without decisive intervention, the union warns, the continued assault on press freedom will undermine Somalia’s progress toward democracy, accountability, and the rule of law.
As Somalia navigates its fragile democratic transition, the protection of journalists and media freedom must be a top priority. The stakes are high—not just for the media industry but for the future of a peaceful and just Somalia.
— Reported by Nexio News
