New Report Warns of Rising Online and Offline Violence Against Women Journalists in Somalia

 

A new and alarming report released today by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has revealed the escalating levels of violence, intimidation, and harassment faced by women journalists across Somalia. Titled “Targeted Online, Unsafe Offline: Gender-Based Violence and Impunity Against Women Journalists in Somalia,” the report paints a bleak picture of the challenges that female media professionals endure in newsrooms, in the field, at home, and increasingly across digital platforms.

The report forms part of a wider series of activities held throughout November to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. This year’s global theme, selected by UNESCO, focuses on AI-driven gender-based violence, making the findings particularly urgent as new technologies are weaponised to target women journalists.

According to NUSOJ, at least 79 cases of sexual and gender-based violence were documented between 2023 and 2025. However, the union stresses that the real numbers are likely much higher, as survivors often choose silence due to fear of retaliation, stigma from society, and a deep mistrust in existing reporting and complaint mechanisms. Many women journalists describe toxic and unsafe work environments where sexual harassment, coercion by supervisors, political threats, and attacks while on assignment have become alarmingly common.

The report also highlights a disturbing rise in AI-generated abuse, which is rapidly becoming one of the most dangerous emerging threats. Deepfake images, voice cloning, and automated smear campaigns are being used to discredit, shame, and intimidate women in the profession. Such digitally manufactured violence spreads quickly and remains online indefinitely, causing long-term psychological and professional harm.

NUSOJ argues that this ongoing crisis is not simply a series of isolated incidents but a national failure that undermines media freedom, women’s rights, and the public’s access to truthful information. The union calls for stronger legislation that criminalises sexual harassment and violence—including online abuse—as well as urgent reforms within media organisations to ensure safer and more equitable workplaces for women.

The report also urges the Somali authorities to take firm action against perpetrators, stating that accountability remains minimal despite widespread violence. Technology companies are likewise urged to adopt stricter measures to detect and remove AI-generated sexual content, fake accounts, and coordinated abuse targeting journalists.

“Somalia cannot claim to defend media freedom while women journalists live with threats, harassment, and humiliation as part of their daily reality,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. He added that protecting women journalists is not only a matter of rights and safety but a test of Somalia’s commitment to justice and democracy. “The voices of Somali women in the media strengthen our society. They deserve dignity, protection, and the full weight of the law when attacked.”

NUSOJ concludes by calling for a national movement to safeguard women journalists and protect media freedom in Somalia. Ensuring their safety, the union says, is essential for defending truth, accountability, and the public’s right to information.