The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) marks International Human Rights Day 2024 with a resounding call to action against the alarming violations of journalists’ rights and media freedom in Somalia. Under this year’s global theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” NUSOJ condemns the persistent attacks, harassment and systemic impunity that have endangered the nation’s journalists and undermined the fundamental principles of human rights, as well as Somalia’s fragile progress towards democratic governance.
While this year has brought a rare reprieve – with no journalist killed since 1 January, a first in 18 years – the safety and security of Somali journalists remain precarious. NUSOJ has documented 52 cases of brutal attacks on journalists this year alone, ranging from physical assaults, arbitrary arrests and harassment to online and offline sexual and gender-based violence targeting female journalists. Media houses, too, have been attacked, striking at the heart of press freedom and threatening the foundation of democracy in Somalia.
“Somalia is no place for complacency. Every attack on a journalist is an attack on the truth and the people’s right to know. The culture of impunity that enables these crimes is a stain on our nation’s conscience and it must end,” declared Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of NUSOJ. He further added, “The rampant impunity for crimes against journalists remains Somalia’s most glaring human rights failure. It is an indictment of Somalia’s governance system – a stark reflection of the inability or unwillingness to protect one of the most vital pillars of a peaceful and stable society: a free, vibrant and safe journalism.”
NUSOJ has also highlighted the deplorable working conditions faced by Somali journalists, including inadequate wages, exploitative labour practices and a persistent gender pay gap. Journalists are further denied editorial independence and freedom of conscience, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, coercion and violence. “The systemic neglect of journalists’ labour rights is not only a gross human rights violation but also a direct assault on the quality and ethical practice of journalism in Somalia. Without decent working conditions, the integrity of journalism – the cornerstone of accountability and public trust – is under relentless attack,” said Osman.
This year, legislative actions have exacerbated these challenges. The Official Information Bill, introduced and passed by the Council of Ministers, has been widely condemned as a dangerous affront to the public’s right to access information. The bill introduces restrictive provisions that could severely limit the public’s right to know and hinder journalists from fulfilling their watchdog role. Meanwhile, the unlawful establishment of the Media Council, in blatant violation of the Amended Media Law of 2020, has undermined efforts to achieve independent and self-regulated media. This has eroded public trust while deepening the misuse of Somalia’s legal framework.
“These moves are brazen assaults on media freedom and unworthy of any government that claims to promote democratic principles. The Official Information Bill is a dangerous tool aimed at suppressing information and undermining the public’s right to know. We have campaigned at every level of state institutions, including the Federal Parliament, to reject this repressive piece of legislation. Somalia’s democratic transition depends on protecting, not restricting, the flow of information,” warned Osman.
On this International Human Rights Day, NUSOJ calls for urgent and decisive actions to safeguard journalists’ rights and improve their working conditions. The entrenched culture of impunity must be eradicated and perpetrators of crimes against journalists must be held accountable. Immediate steps are needed to secure fair wages, ensure safe and equitable work environments and protect the editorial independence of Somali journalists. Furthermore, regressive legislation, such as the Official Information Bill, must be rewritten to align with Somalia’s Provisional Constitution and international standards of freedom of expression and access to information.
“Human rights are not abstract ideals; they are the foundation of any functioning society. Our rights as journalists are intrinsically linked to Somalia’s future. An independent, thriving and secure media environment is not just an aspiration – it is an absolute necessity for Somalia’s democratic transition and for entrenching peace and development in our nation,” Osman concluded.