Mogadishu, Somalia — Media professionals in Somalia came together in a virtual forum hosted by the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) to reflect on a vital question: Why do a free, independent press and access to reliable facts matter in Somalia?
The discussion, which was part of the World News Day 2025 campaign, focused on censorship, harassment, and the increasing prevalence of misinformation. For the second consecutive year, the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) joined hundreds of media organisations worldwide in the campaign, highlighting the power and impact of journalism in a country where reliable information can make the difference between safety and danger, peace and instability.
The Global Context
World News Day, observed annually from 23 to 28 September, is coordinated by the World Editors Forum (part of WAN-IFRA), the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF), and Project Kontinuum. It unites journalists and media organisations by reaffirming the essential role of ethical, fact-based reporting.
The campaign seeks to:
- Reassert the value of fact-based journalism in an era dominated by misinformation and disinformation.
- Encourage newsrooms to commit to ethics—verifying facts, ensuring transparency, and resisting political or corporate influence.
- Provide journalists with a platform to showcase their work through op-eds, social media campaigns, and digital storytelling.
- Strengthen public trust by demonstrating journalism’s role in upholding democracy, accountability, and social justice.
By joining the campaign, SOMWA not only expressed solidarity with journalists worldwide but also made it a priority to safeguard media freedom in Somalia.
Voices from the Discussion
Three senior journalists and press freedom advocates joined the dialogue:
- Sowda Husein, senior journalist, women’s rights activist, and vice executive director of SOMWA.
- Mohamed Deeq Abdalla, deputy chair of the Puntland Media Association (MAP) and press freedom advocate.
- Leyla Abdi Ahmed, editor of Radio Ergo at IMS (International Media Support), and activist for women in media.
Mohamed Deeq Abdalla defined free media as a press that operates independently and reports fact-based news without fear. “Unfortunately, right now there is no free press in Somalia,” he remarked. “Journalists are silenced through intimidation and harassment, and as a result, they avoid reporting on critical issues that the public deserves to know.”
Leyla Abdi Ahmed underlined the importance of factual news to everyday decision-making. “When people receive factual news, it enables them to make informed decisions in their lives,” she said. But she also warned that two critical issues are undermining this right: shrinking press freedom and declining public trust in journalists.
Sowda Husein expressed deep concern about the global erosion of press freedom. “Somalia is not the only country where journalism is in retreat,” she noted. “Around the world, powerful individuals have captured media outlets to control narratives. Yet people everywhere—especially during elections, protests, or times of unrest—have the right to receive reliable news.”
Why It Matters in Somalia
In Somalia, where threats, censorship, and propaganda shape much of what the public hears, World News Day carries profound meaning. It shines an international spotlight on the dangers faced by Somali journalists and reinforces calls to:
- Defend the human rights of Somali journalists under constant threat.
- Strengthen networks of support, including legal aid, financial resources, and digital safety tools.
- Remind governments, institutions, and communities that press freedom is not optional—it is a safeguard against corruption, violence, and conflict.
Conclusion
As the world marks World News Day 2025, Somali journalists are sending a clear and urgent message: a free, independent press is not just about reporting the news—it is about ensuring democracy, peace, and survival.
In a nation where truth is under siege from censorship, disinformation, and fear, journalism is a lifeline. By continuing to participate in this global campaign, SOMWA reaffirms that the right to know is universal—and in Somalia, it is more essential than ever.
