Why Somalia is one of the hardest places in the world to be a journalist

[Deeq A.]

“Women detainees held in a next-door cell whispered about the rapes they had experienced and passed me written notes with contact details of their families.”

Somalia is one of the hardest places in the world to be a journalist. I know, because I spent 44 days in detention – persecuted for upholding press freedom and defending ethical reporting.

Firstly, journalists in Somalia face incredible physical danger. It’s the most hazardous place in Africa to work as a media professional: Bombings and gun attacks by the jihadist group al-Shabab have killed so many of my colleagues over the years.

Then there’s the intolerance and corruption of the government, which arrests its critics and shuts down media houses. A total of 84 journalists were detained in 2022. Read more here

Source: The New Humanitarian

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