The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has issued a warning over escalating attacks on press freedom in Somalia, documenting 41 cases of targeted violations against journalists in just the first six months of 2025.
According to NUSOJ, the escalation marks the highest mid-year tally in three years, signalling a dangerous and deliberate campaign to suppress independent reporting.
The documented violations, ranging from threats and physical assaults to arbitrary arrests, are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated effort to intimidate journalists and stifle scrutiny of those in power.
The union disclosed that security forces, including the Somali Federal Police and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), have been systematically targeting reporters, particularly in Mogadishu, where 27 of the 41 attacks occurred.
Many detentions appear politically motivated, with journalists held briefly without charge, a tactic designed to instil fear rather than enforce the law.
“What is happening is not law enforcement. It is a brutal effort to crush the media and control what people see and hear. Journalists are being hunted for exposing the truth. The message is clear: stay silent or face consequences. But the truth cannot be suppressed,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
The crackdown violates Somalia’s Provisional Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, as well as international commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Despite Somalia’s pledges under the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, authorities have failed to curb the violence, revealing a stark gap between policy and practice.
Security personnel often act without direct orders, suggesting a culture of impunity and overreach, where officers target journalists to demonstrate loyalty to political leaders.
The attacks have created a climate of fear, with reporters facing increasing risks for covering corruption, security lapses, and governance failures.
Yet, Somali journalists continue to resist. Despite the threats, media workers persist in uncovering uncomfortable truths, refusing to let intimidation dictate their work.
As Osman emphasized, “Attempts to silence journalists will never suppress the truth.”