Somalia

An independent radio station was raided and journalists were detained and beaten as attacks on the media continue escalating in Somalia.

Journalists Abdifatah Mohamed Abdi, Hamse Abdi Ahmed and Abdikhadar Farah Abshir arrested for their critical reporting of regional authorities.

Radio Mogadishu director Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled was killed and Sharmarke Mohamed Warsame was seriously injured in a targeted suicide bomb attack.

Somalian authorities detain and assault journalists Ali Nour Ayn and Bashir Ali Shire and elite security forces raid media outlet ‘Mustaqbal Media’.

Somali digital rights group Digital Shelter launches #WithoutFear initiative to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Somali women online, while providing a digital safety and security platform.

Freelance radio journalist Jamal Farah Adan received numerous threats following his reports on Al-Shabaab prior to being gunned down by unknown assailants.

Somalia remains one of the most dangerous places for the media to operate in, with reporters facing the risk of arbitrary arrests, assaults, threats and even death from state agents and rebel groups.

Rights groups send letter to President Mohamed, lauding positive clauses, but also express their concerns over restrictive clauses in Somalia’s new media law.

The two journalists were arrested after they were lured with a promise of an interview with judicial authorities over a story on the acquittal of men convicted of raping and murdering a woman.

Positive elements of Somalia’s amended 2016 Media Law are invalidated by sections which violate freedom of expression and criminalise the work of journalists.

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange condemns the killing of Said Yusuf Ali and expresses concern at the relentless attacks on journalists.

Broadcast journalist Ali Hassan was shot and killed near his home in Afgooye, about 30 km outside the capital, Mogadishu. He had been receiving anonymous threats.

If Somalia’s newly approved media bill is passed, it will pave the way for criminal prosecutions for ordinary press offences.

Journalists fear they could lose their accreditation in the coming weeks after the Puntland information minister announced that privately-owned media will have to register with his ministry by 15 October so that it can “monitor their daily activity.”

Journalist and social media activist Abdimalik Muse Oldon was sentenced to three and a half years in prison in Somalia’s self-declared state, Somaliland, despite the glaring absence of a plaintiff.

Armed individuals claiming to be with Somalia’s revenue authority forced their way into Universal television offices in Mogadishu and started shooting.