Press Freedom

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…

Victory for Journalism: Somalia court frees detained journalist, says journalism not a crime

MOGADISHU – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the decision of the Banadir Regional Court judge to release journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights, who endured 56 days of incommunicado detention.

Free journalist jailed for investigative report: Mohamed Ibrahim Osman Bulbul

NAIROBI - On 17 August, plain-clothed security officers arrested Mohamed Ibrahim Osman Bulbul, a journalist with Kaab TV and staff member of a local media advocacy organization, Somali Journalists Syndicate. The arrest took place a day after he released a story about alleged misappropriation of European…

Barawe's minority community loses vital radio voice after an armed attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia 29 September, 2023 – Thursday marked the International Day for Universal Access to Information; however, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses its deep concern about the denial of the right to information for the minority community in Barawe, in Somalia's Lower Shabelle…

Despite court dismissed charges, journalist Bulbul transferred to Mogadishu prison

MOGADISHU – On the occasion of International Day for Universal Access to Information, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is alarmed by the forcible transfer of our colleague journalist, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, from Hamar Jajab police station to Mogadishu Central Prison by armed officers affiliated…

SJS urges Somalia court to dismiss the case against journalist Bulbul and grant his freedom following rejection of charges

MOGADISHU – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls for the Banadir Regional Court to secure the freedom of of SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul since the judge on Monday refused the charges brought by the Office of the Attorney General.