National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) says as it raises concern over impunity.
BY SOMALISTREAM NEWSROOM
In a significant and cautiously welcomed development, no journalists were killed in Somalia during 2024, marking the first year since 2005 without such a fatality, according to the State of the Media report 2024 released by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). Somalia had previously earned the grim reputation as Africa’s deadliest country for journalists.
While NUSOJ expressed “cautious relief and deep gratitude” for this milestone, the report paints a grim picture of ongoing media repression, emphasizing that journalism continues to operate in an environment marred by intimidation, fear, and administrative obstruction. The union documented 25 verified attacks on media freedom in 2024, classifying each as a deliberate violation targeting journalists or media outlets for their work. NUSOJ asserts these are part of a sustained pattern aimed at suppressing independent reporting and denying the public’s right to information.
Nusoj’s report highlights that the absence of killings in 2024 does not erase the painful legacy of impunity for past murders. Justice remains elusive for dozens of journalists assassinated over the past two decades, with accountability served in fewer than five cases. NUSOJ warns this entrenched impunity emboldens perpetrators and sends a dangerous message that crimes against journalists carry no consequences, fostering a climate of fear and self-censorship.
In the report authored by Omar Faruk Osman, the Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), it adds that despite the lack of fatalities, journalists faced significant threats and violations throughout 2024.
“Alarmingly, 60% of all documented violations involved arrests and brief detentions, tactics increasingly used by authorities as instruments of control rather than legitimate law enforcement. Journalists reported being blindfolded, violently assaulted, and detained without charge, only to be released without explanation. NUSOJ describes these actions as “censorship through fear”. Nusoj said.
State actors were identified as the primary perpetrators of these violations. Police forces were responsible for 48% of attacks, with security forces accounting for another 36%. NUSOJ states these institutions often act with complete impunity, becoming agents of repression instead of protection.
Repression remains deeply entrenched across various regions. Somaliland was documented as the most dangerous area, accounting for 36% of violations. SSC-Khaatumo followed closely with 24%, where journalists in Las Anod faced arrest and torture for covering sensitive issues.
The Banadir region, including the capital Mogadishu, saw 20% of violations, with incidents involving both regional police and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). Cases were also recorded in Jubbaland (12%) and Puntland (8%).
Beyond physical threats and detentions, the report raises concerns about legal and administrative pressures. NUSOJ points to a proposed constitutional amendment, a contentious Official Information Bill, and directives requiring registration for international media as potential legislative assaults on press freedom that risk formalising censorship and surveillance.
The report also sheds light on the appalling working conditions faced by most Somali journalists, who are often young professionals. Many work without contracts, job security, or fair pay, facing widespread exploitation and underpayment. NUSOJ argues that a media sector lacking economic dignity cannot fulfill its democratic role. Women journalists face particular vulnerability, with 21 reports of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) targeting them in 2024, representing a systemic threat.
NUSOJ has made an urgent call for action from Somali authorities to end abuses, bring perpetrators to justice, and break the cycle of impunity. The union stresses that media freedom is essential for Somalia’s transition towards democracy and reaffirms its commitment to defending and protecting journalists serving the Somali people. While 2024 offered a reprieve from killings, NUSOJ insists this must become the norm, not an exception, demanding lasting safety and justice for the press.
NUSOJ, is famously known as the Horn of Africa country’s principal watchdog and advocate for media professionals. Operating on the front lines of press freedom defense in Somalia, the union meticulously monitors and investigates attacks against journalists, providing crucial support and impartial information to those targeted.
NUSOJ actively engages with national authorities and international bodies, including the United Nations where it holds special consultative status, consistently demanding concrete action to protect journalists and uphold media rights amidst challenging conditions.