CIVICUS discusses media freedom challenges in Somaliland with a representative of a local civil society organisation that defends journalists’ rights and supports media professionalism. The interviewee asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
Over the past year, Somaliland authorities have arrested at least 20 journalists and shut down multiple private media outlets, with blatant disregard for constitutional rights and proper legal procedures. Recent cases include Universal TV’s licence being revoked in February and journalist Ahmed Mohamud Dool being detained without charges over a Facebook post in August. Vague and unsubstantiated accusations are used to silence independent coverage, drawing strong criticism from local journalists’ associations.
