Press Freedom

Somalia: The Killer Who Was Also a Journalist — And the Method That Didn't Die With Him

On April 11, 2016, a firing squad at a police academy in Mogadishu killed Hassan Hanafi Hajji. He had been one of Somalia's most trusted radio voices. For nearly ten years, he used that trust to help al-Shabaab.

Journalist Mascuud Warsame tells SJS about his 39-day ordeal in Somalia's spy agency detention facility

MOGADISHU, Somalia 12 August 2026 – Journalist Mascuud Warsame spent 39 days in detention by Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) before being released without charge or appearing before a judge. The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomed his release and called for an…

Somalia: Puntland authorities must free journalist Suways Jama Mohamud arrested for her critical reporting

MOGADISHU/GAROWE, Somalia – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls for the immediate release of journalist Suways Jama Mohamud, who is currently being held in Garowe, Puntland, following her arrest by police on Thursday, 2 July 2026, over her critical street-question reporting on her online…

Somalia: NUSOJ Condemns Politically Motivated Arrest and Continued Detention of Female Journalist by Puntland Authorities

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and continued detention of female journalist Suways Jama Mohamud (Suways Ga'ayte) by the Puntland authorities, describing the case as a politically motivated assault on media freedom and independent journalism…

Somalia: Escalating attacks against journalists in May raise alarm

IPI calls on the international community to intensify pressure on the Somali government to ensure accountability for attacks against journalists

Somali Journalist Arrested in Baidoa Over Report Alleging Robbery by Security Personnel

Baidoa, Somalia (Horn Observer) — Somalia's Southwest Administration arrested a journalist in Baidoa yesterday after he reported on women selling khat who were allegedly robbed by security forces in the town of Baidoa.

NUSOJ Raises Alarm Over Arrests and Harassment of Journalists Amid Rising Political Tensions in Somalia's capital Mogadishu

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) expresses deep concern over a troubling pattern of arrests, intimidation and attacks against journalists operating in Mogadishu during a period marked by heightened political tensions. The incidents, all involving officers of the Somali Police Force,…

U.S-trained Somalia counter-terrorism police, NISA physically attack journalists, kidnap them in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia 9 May 2026 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is appalled and strongly condemns the abduction, beatings, causing physical injury and death threats against three journalists — Mohamed Ibrahim Osman (Bulbul), SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights; Abdihafid Nor Barre,…

SOMALI STREAM JOURNALIST ABDUCTED IN MOGADISHU AMID HASSAN SHEIKH CRACKDOWN ON INDEPENDENT MEDIA

Somalia's deepening assault on press freedom took another alarming turn Friday evening after security forces reportedly abducted and brutally assaulted the Director of Somali Stream's Mogadishu office alongside two independent journalists in what media advocates are describing as a blatant act…

WPFD 2026: Press Freedom under strain in Somalia and Somaliland amid political and security tensions

MOGADISHU, Somalia 3 May 2026 – As the world marks World Press Freedom Day today, journalists and media outlets in Somalia are facing an increasingly volatile and restrictive environment, particularly as Somalia enters a critical period marked by political uncertainty and tensions surrounding upcoming…