NUSOJ submits report on 72 media violations to Somalia rights commission

Tuesday April 28, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — A new report handed to Somalia’s top human rights watchdog on Monday paints a stark picture of the pressures facing the country’s media, with the National Union of Somali Journalists warning that abuse of reporters remains widespread and rarely punished.

NUSOJ presented its 2025 State of the Media Report to the National Independent Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), saying it had verified 72 violations of media freedom between January and December 2025. The union said the findings point to a persistent climate of intimidation and institutional repression.

According to the findings, 70 cases targeted individual journalists, while two involved media organizations, underscoring risks faced by both reporters and institutions. Documented abuses include arbitrary arrests, intimidation, physical violence and restrictions on reporting.

The union expressed deep concern about impunity, saying those responsible — often security actors — are seldom investigated or brought to justice. The report also pointed to the killing of a journalist in 2025, calling it a grim reminder of the threats media workers continue to face.

Abuses were reported in different parts of the country, with the highest concentration in Banadir and Hargeisa, illustrating how broad the problem has become.

At the meeting, NUSOJ and the commission discussed the need for firmer institutional action and stronger enforcement tools to defend freedom of expression.

NIHRC Chairperson Maryan Qasim said the commission would examine the report within its mandate to promote and protect human rights. She said media freedom would receive special attention in light of repeated attacks on journalists.

NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman said the report draws on internationally recognized standards and reflects a clear and troubling pattern of violations.

“Journalists in Somalia continue to face serious and repeated abuses, often at the hands of those mandated to protect them,” he said, calling for thorough investigations and concrete measures to end impunity.

NUSOJ said it would continue working closely with the commission to strengthen efforts to safeguard fundamental rights and improve protections for journalists.