Press Freedom

UK, German equipped and trained Somali police officers raid local radio station, detain seven journalists

MOGADISHU, Somalia 22 January 2022 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and its partner the Somali Media Association (SOMA) condemn the raid and closure on the local independent radio in Beledweyne and detention of its seven journalists by Hirshabelle police in Beledweyne on Friday 21 January 2022…

State of Press Freedom in Somalia 2021: Silencing Journalists through Targeted Attacks, Restrictions and Censorship Amid Precarious Working Conditions

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 10 January, 2022 – Somali journalists were once again subjected to violence and deliberate attacks by the security forces of the federal government, regional states and the militant group al-Shabaab. Covering insecurity, the continued deadlock in federal elections and the reports…

Somalia: Sool Governor orders detention of three journalists in Lasanod, Jubbaland security threatens journalists covering election

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 31 December 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the detention of three journalists in Lasanod town and calls on Somaliland authorities to free them unconditionally, while SJS also calls on Jubbaland security officials to stop threats and intimidations against journalists…

Somalia's SJS concludes fourth human rights journalism training in Garowe

MOGADISHU, Somalia 30 December, 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) concludes its fourth Human Rights Journalism training in Garowe, the capital of Puntland State of Somalia on Wednesday 29 December.

U.S and UK ambassadors warn election violence in Somalia, disappointed about women quota shortcomings

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) The U.S. and British ambassadors to Somalia, Colleen Crenwelge and Kate Foster, have expressed disappointment over the failure to ensure the 30% quota for women in the recent elections of the Upper House of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.

Union of Journalists in Somalia condemns recent arbitrary detentions, threats against journalists' safety in Mogadishu, Qardho and Garbaharey

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 02 December, 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the recent arbitrary detentions, threats, intimidation and obstruction of access to information against local journalists in Qardho and Mogadishu by the police. We also call for investigation into the shooting of journalists'…

A local flight carrying journalists, humanitarian workers makes emergency landing in Mogadishu after it was shot at Garbaharey Airport

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) A local flight ferrying a group of local journalists covering drought-affected communities and humanitarian workers made an emergency landing on Tuesday after it has been shot with several bullets while landing at Garbaharey Airport in Gedo region, local security official and…

No where to run: Journalists in Jowhar face new threats from state officials

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - Journalists from marginalised Bantu community in Middle Shabelle are facing new threats as they express their views against brutality committed by Hirshabelle State security forces, journalists and union officials said.

Somalia: INTERVIEW – ABDALLE AHMED MUMIN: "Crimes against Somali Journalists and Media workers must end"

Mogadishu – Somalia: Today is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists – a key occasion to highlight the difficult conditions some journalists work under and the need to provide justice for the journalists, investigating and prosecuting not only killings but also threats…

#IDEI 2021: End the violence against Somali journalists, SJS and SOMA call authorities

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 2 November, 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) & its partner, Somali Media Association (SOMA) jointly called for end of the violence against Somali journalists and for accountability for perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and reminds the international…

Somalia: South West briefly detains eight journalists in Baidoa while Galmudug incarcerates a freelance reporter in Guriel

MOGADISHU, Somalia, – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) condemn the arbitrary detention of eight journalists by South West State police in Baidoa on Thursday, 28 October while we call Galmudug police to unconditionally free journalist Mohamed Abdiwahab Tohow currently…

Journalists arrested in Lasanod and Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia, – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the arbitrary detention of journalists in Lasanod and Mogadishu, and calls Hirshabelle authorities to unconditionally lift the ban on local TV journalist in Jowhar.

A human rights lawyer calls Hirshabelle to hold its officials accountable over human rights violations

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) A local human rights lawyer has on Tuesday vowed to push for a lawsuit targeting key officials of Somalia's Hirshabelle State over human rights violations and targeting ethnic minorities in the region.

Press freedom under attack in Somalia's Hirshabelle, says SJS secretary general

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) Freedom of the press has gone to worse in Somalia's Hirshabelle State after police this week raided a hotel where a group of local journalists were training on safety.

Somalia: SOMA Conducted 3-day Training for Reporters on Production of Quality Radio Content Sharing Program

Mogadishu, Wednesday, October 20, 2021: The Somali Media Association (SOMA) has concluded today a three –day capacity building training program for reporters on production of quality radio content sharing program.

Three journalists arbitrarily detained for covering armed conflict in Somalia's Galmudug freed

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 05 October 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) welcome the freedom of three journalists: Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow in Dhusamareb, Mohamed Abdukadir Said in Galkayo and Hashim Omar Hassan in Adado after they were arbitrarily detained.

Somaliland police detain a journalist covering forceful evictions in Lasanod, threatens others

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 03 October 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) condemns the arbitrary detention of journalist Mowlid Ismail Diged on Saturday while covering forceful evictions by Somaliland forces in Lasanod.

SOMALIA: Dhusamareb police arbitrary detains a journalist while police in Garowe summons freelance reporter

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 30 September 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call on Galmudug authorities to immediately and unconditionally free freelance journalist, Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow who is held at Dhusamareb police station since Tuesday night 28 September,…

Somalia: On IDUAI 2021, SJS and SOMA call for media, journalists' access to information amid increased pressure against media freedom

MOGADISHU, Somalia 28 September 2021 – On International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), today the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call on the right of access to information for journalists, the right to know and report independently and without…

Somalia: SJS concludes a three-day human rights journalism training in Kismayo

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 23 September 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) today concluded a three-day human rights journalism training in the city of Kismayo, Jubbaland State of Somalia, benefitting journalists from across local media houses and freelancers.