Mogadishu: The year 2025 has been particularly harsh for independent media practitioners in Somalia’s capital. Journalists are facing an increasing wave of repression, with conditions worsening month by month, and journalists increasingly targeted for simply doing their jobs.
This intensifying pressure has led to a surge in targeted actions, severely curtailing press freedom and endangering those who strive to report independently.
The period leading up to and including May 2025 has seen a significant crackdown. Since mid-March alone, dozens of journalists have been subjected to arrest, harassment, intimidation, and obstruction. Incidents in May further underscore this dangerous trend, with numerous journalists detained or attacked while performing their duties. For instance, one report highlighted the arrest of 15 journalists over just two days in May in Mogadishu. In late May, further incidents included the arrest of a radio station director.
This continued pressure represents a severe assault on the fundamental principles of press freedom. Journalists in Mogadishu increasingly operate in a hostile environment where their safety and financial stability are at constant risk.
Many are now unable to report on important everyday issues such as public protests, community meetings, and political events. Consequently, the Somali public’s right to access diverse and independent information is critically undermined by this escalating repression.
The continued and worsening targeting of media professionals signals a grave outlook for journalistic freedom in the city.
A Call for Action
As the Media Women Network, we are deeply concerned about the worsening state of media freedom in Somalia. We call for urgent and decisive steps to protect journalists and ensure that the public continues to receive truthful, independent information.
The Network urges the Somali government to:
- Immediately stop all harassment and mistreatment of journalists.
- Respect the rights of journalists and ensure that the media can operate freely.
- End any actions that hinder or block journalists from doing their work.
- Recognize and protect freedom of speech as a cornerstone of democracy.
- Ensure the public has access to clear, accurate, and trustworthy information.
A free press is not a threat, it is an essential part of any democratic society. The government must respect and support the vital role of independent journalism in Somalia’s present and future.
