Somali authorities have shut down privately owned Risala Media and arrested five journalists after they reported on the aftermath of a deadly explosion in Mogadishu. Security forces raided the media house, detaining the journalists, in what media advocates say is a concerning escalation against press freedom in the country.
The detained journalists include:
1. Ali Ibraahim Abdullaahi Suheyfa
2. Hamda Hassan Ahmed
3. Mohamed Saciid Nuur
4. Liibaan Abdullahi Hussein
5. Abdalla Sharif Ali
The arrests come just weeks after Somali authorities shut down 12 media outlets, citing alleged links to Al-Shabaab, sparking renewed concerns over media restrictions and press freedom in the country.
Concerns Over Press Freedom in Somalia
Shockingly, the man now presiding over these actions against the press—Information Minister Daud Aweis—is a former BBC journalist who was once a vocal advocate for media rights. His current role in state-led crackdowns on independent journalism presents a stark contrast to the principles he previously championed. Press freedom organizations have raised concerns that such measures risk stifling independent reporting and restricting access to crucial information.
Somalia currently ranks 145th out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), underscoring the hostile environment journalists face, including intimidation, censorship, and arbitrary arrests.
Risala Media Responds
In a telephone call with Risala Media’s Director Mohamed Abdiwahab expressed concern over the closure and arrests, stating:
“Our staff have long faced pressure for covering government criticism and airing opposition voices without censorship. Today’s armed raid and detentions put our journalists’ safety and work in serious jeopardy.”
Calls for Accountability
Media watchdogs and human rights organizations have condemned the crackdown, calling for impartial investigations into the shutdown of Risala Media and the immediate release of detained journalists. They urge Somali authorities to uphold press freedom and democratic principles, ensuring journalists can operate without fear of retaliation.