Thursday July 16, 2026
Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia has introduced new restrictions on media interviews involving children and people with mental health conditions, with authorities saying the measures are designed to safeguard the dignity and rights of vulnerable people.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Awareness said Thursday that the directives form part of a wider campaign to regulate journalism and reinforce professional standards across the media sector.
The ministry also announced plans to register every media organization and journalist operating in North Western State of Somalia.
“This registration will ensure that media activities are carried out by journalists and organizations that are officially recognized and have professional responsibility,” the ministry said.
The announcement builds on previous orders barring people without official press identification from conducting interviews in markets or other public areas.
Under the ministry’s policy, only journalists carrying formal identification will be permitted to carry out public interviews.
Authorities said the rules seek to strengthen ethical conduct in journalism, preserve the standing of the media and bolster public confidence in news organizations.
“There has been an increase in people without press credentials conducting interviews in markets and public spaces, including questions that some community members consider contrary to culture and social values,” the officials said.
The government said the registration and identification system would curb those practices and raise standards in media work.
The move arrives against the backdrop of persistent concerns by press freedom advocates about limits placed on journalists in North Western State of Somalia.
Rights groups have in the past accused North Western State of Somalia authorities of detaining reporters, shutting down media outlets and relying on criminal legislation to constrain free expression, especially in coverage of politically sensitive matters, public interviews and investigations involving government conduct.
