If information and knowledge are central to democracy,
they are the conditions for development. – Kofi Annan
Africa
Somalia
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| IREX Score: 1.29 | [IREX Methodology] |
| {Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00} |
IREX Description:
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), "Somalia was among the world's deadliest countries in 2009, surpassing violent hot spots such as Iraq and Pakistan."1 The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) noted, "In the history of Somalia, the past twelve months stand out as the darkest and deadliest period for journalism in the country. The work and life of journalists have become worthless and dispensable, while attacks against journalists continue unrestrained."2 CPJ and NUSOJ documented the death of nine journalists last year, including one of last year's MSI panelists, Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe, director of Shabelle Radio in Mogadishu. Omar Faruk Osman, secretary general of NUSOJ, said, "The country has been in conflict for nearly 20 years now, but the kind of attacks specifically targeting journalists has never happened before.
Still, dedicated journalists courageously continue their efforts, despite the extreme risks of working in Somalia. They are working to elevate professional standards, in part to help show the public the value of media in society. There is also access to international news, and there is a fairly wide choice of media given the circumstances. On the new media front, Somali language news websites are adding new voices. According to a U.S. Department of State report, relative to the region, Somalia enjoys some of the least expensive Internet and telecommunications access—and the government does not restrict access. However, opposition actors monitor use and are thought behind anonymous threats delivered to local journalists via email.
| Freedom House Score: 84 (Not Free) | [Freedom House Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100} |
| RSF Score: 66.00 | [RSF Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120} |
Reporters Without Borders Description:
With no stable government since 1991, Somalia is the deadliest country in Africa for journalists. Murders, physical attacks, arrests and kidnappings – life is a nightmare for the few journalists working in Somalia. Ending this sad situation ought to be a priority for the new government.
| Committee to Protect Journalists Description: | [What is the Committee to Protect Journalists?] |
Somalia was among the world’s deadliest countries in 2009, surpassing violent hot spots such as Iraq and Pakistan. As conflict continued between the weak Transitional Federal Government and multiple insurgent groups, nine journalists were killed in direct connection to their work, seven of them in the volatile capital, Mogadishu. An exodus of local journalists continued throughout the year, and few international journalists dared travel into the country for firsthand reporting, according to CPJ research. As a result, the amount and quality of news coverage of Somalia’s political and humanitarian crisis suffered greatly, CPJ found.
| IFEX News: | [What is IFEX?] |
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