PRESS STATEMENT
Mogadishu, Somalia, 03 May 2026: The Somali Media Association (SOMA) joins the international community in commemorating World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, reaffirming the fundamental importance of a free, independent, and responsible media in advancing democratic governance, accountability, and public trust in Somalia.
This year’s commemoration highlights both progress and ongoing challenges within the media landscape. In April, SOMA successfully concluded a series of high-level masterclass workshops on police–media engagement, bringing together 105 participants, including district police station commanders, deputy commanders, police investigators, media house managers, journalists, and civil society representatives. The initiative provided a critical platform for dialogue, reflection, and capacity strengthening aimed at improving relations between the Somali Police Force and the media sector.
A key outcome of the workshops was the strong commitment demonstrated by police participants to enhance their engagement with journalists. These commitments include ensuring the professional treatment of media personnel during operations, adhering strictly to legal procedures, improving coordination and communication during security operations, and avoiding arbitrary arrest or detention of journalists. Participants further committed to promoting dialogue, de-escalation, and command responsibility, while supporting the development of clear operational guidelines governing police–media interactions and long-term trust-building initiatives.
The workshops also generated practical recommendations to sustain and institutionalize progress. These include establishing regular and structured police–media engagement platforms; expanding training to lower-ranking police officers who interact most frequently with journalists; and strengthening professional standards in journalism, particularly in verification, accuracy, and conflict-sensitive reporting.
SOMA further emphasizes the importance of mutual awareness of rights and responsibilities between police and media actors, alongside the establishment of a dedicated police–media liaison mechanism to enhance communication and coordination. The development of simple, practical operational guidelines for field interactions—covering protests, emergencies, crime scenes, and public events—was also strongly recommended.
To ensure broader national impact, SOMA calls for the expansion of such initiatives to Federal Member States and the inclusion of other security institutions. Future efforts should adopt a multi-stakeholder approach by engaging policymakers, legal experts, and judicial actors to address systemic challenges comprehensively.
Additionally, SOMA underscores the importance of strengthening media accountability through the development of structured mechanisms, including progress toward establishing a functional and independent media council.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-General of SOMA emphasized the significance of World Press Freedom Day, stating:
“The 3rd of May is not only a day of reflection, but also a call to action. A free and responsible media is essential for Somalia’s peace, stability, and democratic progress. Protecting journalists and enabling them to operate without fear is a shared responsibility for all.”
Reflecting on the recently concluded workshop series, the Secretary-General added:
“The outcomes of these engagements demonstrate that constructive dialogue between the police and the media is both possible and necessary. The commitments made and the recommendations put forward provide a clear pathway toward building trust, improving professionalism, and preventing conflict in the field. What remains now is sustained action and collective responsibility to translate these commitments into practice.”
On this important occasion, SOMA calls upon all stakeholders to uphold and protect press freedom, ensure the safety of journalists, and support collaborative initiatives that promote professionalism, accountability, and constructive engagement between media and public institutions.
SOMA remains committed to empowering media professionals and advancing a media environment that is free, responsible, and conducive to Somalia’s sustainable development.
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