Press Freedom

SJS relieved by the freedom of SYL TV journalist following 24-hour secret detention

MOGADISHU, Somalia 18 April, 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the release of journalist and SYL TV founder, Hussein Abdulle Mohamed, who had gone missing late on Tuesday, 16 April, 2024, after being summoned for a meeting with the director of the Somali National Intelligence…

'We'll rather die than pay', SJS stands firm against extortion demands

BY - ABDIRAHMAN MOHAMED

SJS denounces the acts of sabotage and invasion of privacy directed towards its bank accounts

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 14 April 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the acts of sabotage and breaches of privacy targeted at its bank accounts, aimed at hindering the organisation's operations.

CPJ welcomes South Africa's abolition of criminal defamation, calls for further legal reforms

Lusaka – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's signing into law a bill that abolishes criminal defamation, and urged authorities to reform other problematic laws that threaten press freedom in the country.

SJS: Free journalist Mohamud Abdirashid Abdi arbitrarily detained in Luuq district, Gedo

MOGADISHU, Somalia 5 April, 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls for the immediate and unconditional freedom of journalist Mohamud Abdirashid Abdi who is detained in Luuq district of Gedo region since 1 April 2024.

SJS condemns hijacking of Somali Press Council formation process by NISA and Ministry of Information officials

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the hijacking of the Somali Press Council formation process by officials from the National Intelligence (NISA) and Ministry of Information, and opposes the unconstitutional announcement made on March 14 by the Office of…

State of Press Freedom in Somalia 2023: Cyber-Attack, Arbitrary Detentions and Judicial Harassment

MOGADISHU, Somalia 10 March 2024 – The lack of transparency surrounding the assassination of Somali Cable TV director Abdifatah Moalim Nur (Qeys) by a suicide bomber in Mogadishu on October 16, 2023 and the unwillingness by Somali government's security agencies to investigate the attack, serves…

Women's Day: More to be done to safeguard women rights and achieve equality in Somalia

By - ANFA ADEN ABDI*

World Radio Day 2024: Celebrating the vital role of female radio journalists in Somalia

MOGADISHU – On World Radio Day, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) acknowledges the remarkable work done by our female network of journalists working in the radio sector in Somalia and keeping the public informed despite the many challenges and threats.

Attacks on dissenting voices signal erosion of free expression in Somaliland

NAIROBI (KAAB TV) – In recent times, Somaliland has witnessed a disturbing trend: an escalation in attacks against those who dare to speak out against the status quo. The freedom of expression, once cherished, is now under threat, exemplified by the detention of Abdirahman Abees, an author critical…

Despite NISA threats and blockage, SJS successfully completes women journalists training

MOGADISHU, Somalia 23 January 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the interference, harassment and blocking SJS women journalists' training in Mogadishu on Saturday by the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), as we demand those responsible to be held accountable…

Defying Darkness: Somali sports journalist's struggle against extremist threat

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) - In the tumultuous landscape of Somalia, where the shadows of terror loom large, one journalist stood defiant against the oppressive orders of Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group. Mohamed Abdi Muudey found himself at the forefront of a perilous battle for freedom…

SJS condemns attacks on media and journalists; calls for respect for freedom of press

MOGADISHU, Somalia 9 January, 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the recent surge in attacks targeting critical media institutions and detention of journalists in Hargeysa and Mogadishu.

International Partners applaud successful conclusion of Puntland leadership elections

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – Somalia's international partners have expressed their satisfaction with the culmination of Puntland's presidential election on 8 January 2024.

AI Technologies: The Double-Edged Sword of Innovation and Media Capture

By - Robert Wanjala -----------------------

2023: Misuse of Facebook Community Standards and cyberattacks is how Somalia suppressed critical voices

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – The manipulation of Facebook Community Standards and the use of DDoS attacks have emerged as a concerning tool employed by Somalia's National Communication Authority (NCA) in collaboration with the national intelligence (NISA) to suppress critical voices among journalists…

Somali media boycotts president's 'gibberish' talk over deteriorating relations and media freedom

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – Local media stations in Mogadishu collectively boycotted a public talk delivered by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Jazeera Hotel on Wednesday night, where a select group of loyalists and civil servants had gathered.

Somaliland bans local TV debate, citing immorality and anti-culture

HARGEISA (HORN OBSERVER) – The ministry of information in Somaliland has issued a prohibition on a television debate hosted by Universal TV in Hargeisa, citing reasons of "immorality and anti-cultural," according to a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Ali Hassan Mohamed, the Minister…

Breaking Barriers: Somali women journalists triumph through empowerment training

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – Raa'ido Ali Isse, an energetic young radio journalist at Radio Dhambaal in Adado, Galmudug State of Somalia, has emerged victorious after facing significant hurdles in her seven-year media career.

UN officials in Somalia on spot for skipping justice and accountability for human rights violations

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – Just a day following the United Nations Day, Catriona Laing, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), conducted a press conference in Mogadishu, alongside her deputies, which included Anita…