Parliament Bans Reporters, Intelligence Officers Raid Media HQ Highlighting Somalia's Shrinking Space For Independent Journalism

Horn Observer

February 2, 2026

By: Horn Observer Staff Reporter

Somali journalists covering. Photo Horn Observer Archive

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) - Journalists in Somalia are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs of political and security authorities, as Parliament imposed punitive action to ban journalists who recently reported the chaos of the parliament, while members of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) raided a local radio station in the Somali capital Mogadishu, scenarios that paint a troubling picture of shrinking space for independent journalism in Somalia.

On Wednesday, reporters covering a chaotic session of the Federal Parliament were effectively banned from returning to the legislature. The session, disrupted by a heated dispute over constitutional amendments, was captured on video and widely circulated on social media—prompting the Speaker to bar the journalists from the premises. Some media houses were asked to assign different reporters, though many remain uncertain whether they complied. 

Separately, on Saturday, 31 January, Risaala Media’s Mogadishu headquarters was unlawfully occupied and blockaded by an armed individual claiming to represent the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), accompanied by plainclothes officers.

Journalists and staff were subjected to verbal threats and intimidation, with several detained outside and mobile phones confiscated, paralyzing news operations for hours, according to the Risaala Radio.

Somali journalists work under harsh conditions, facing low pay and constant attacks from authorities, steadily wearing down their patience and resolve—threatening the very foundation of media freedom.

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