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March 17, 2025 – Somalia –
Journalist Bahjo Abdullahi Salad of RTN TV was detained by the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) following her report on the health hazards posed by waste left in public spaces in Mogadishu’s Wardhigley district. Her report highlighted the risks to the local community, particularly young children, from the accumulation of rubbish and leftover food. The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemned the unlawful detention and the raid on her home, emphasizing the importance of press freedom in holding authorities accountable.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of increasing repression against journalists in Somalia. On March 6, 2025, the Somali Minister of Information announced new restrictions on media coverage, particularly concerning security issues in Mogadishu. The Banadir Regional Police Commissioner further threatened journalists with detention for reporting on security matters, stating that violators would be confined to “hot and dark cells with no lights.”
The SJS has raised concerns about the escalating clampdown on press freedom, noting that such actions create a chilling effect on journalists and hinder the public’s right to information. The organization has called for the immediate release of all detained journalists and the repeal of restrictive media laws to ensure a free and independent press in Somalia.
These developments underscore the challenges faced by journalists in Somalia, where arbitrary arrests, threats, and harassment have become increasingly common. The international community continues to monitor the situation, urging Somali authorities to uphold their commitments to press freedom and the protection of journalists.
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