Independent media outlets and journalists in Somalia are facing mounting digital pressure, with a new report alleging that a number of Somali news organizations have been targeted through questionable copyright claims, content removals, account disruptions, and other online attacks that have affected their ability to reach audiences.
The findings were published by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), which says the incidents have become increasingly common on Facebook, the social media platform most widely used by Somali media organizations to distribute news and engage with the public.
According to the report, several news outlets experienced the removal of videos and news content from their Facebook pages, while others reportedly received demands for money from individuals claiming they could stop the copyright complaints and restore access to affected content.
One of the cases highlighted by SJS involved Sahal Cable TV, a Puntland-based broadcaster. The organization said several of its videos were removed from Facebook after copyright complaints were filed against them.
According to the broadcaster, an individual using a Bangladeshi WhatsApp number later contacted the station, allegedly claiming responsibility for the removals and demanding $1,500 in exchange for halting the complaints.
Sahal Cable TV said it refused to pay and instead reported the matter directly to Facebook.
Another outlet, SBC Somali TV, reportedly faced copyright claims after publishing a public interview conducted in Bosaso and broadcasting remarks by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni.
SJS stated that some of the content was subsequently removed from Facebook despite the broadcaster maintaining that the material had been produced and recorded by its own journalists.
The report also identified Himilo Media as a target of repeated copyright complaints.
According to SJS, the outlet received 13 copyright claims within a short period, many of which were directed at coverage of political developments, elections, and security issues.
Although the organization appealed several of the complaints, some cases reportedly remained unresolved at the time the investigation was completed.
Similarly, Gaylan Media was said to have received nearly 22 copyright complaints between late June and early August 2026. SJS noted that some of the affected reports covered Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and political disputes between the Federal Government and Puntland.
Other outlets, including Shabelle TV, were also reported to have faced repeated copyright-related takedowns. In some instances, media organizations allegedly received messages demanding payments of up to $1,500 to stop the complaints and restore content.
The SJS report argues that the problem extends beyond copyright disputes alone.
Journalists and media organizations have also reported incidents involving account hacking attempts, efforts to restrict page visibility, and actions that reduced the reach of their news content on social media platforms.
One outlet mentioned in the report, Xogbile Media, reportedly experienced copyright complaints while covering political demonstrations in Mogadishu.
According to SJS, the complaints affected the performance and visibility of the outlet’s Facebook page during a period of heightened public interest in the protests.
The growing reliance of Somali media on social media platforms has made such disruptions particularly significant.
For many news organizations, Facebook serves as the primary channel through which they reach audiences both inside Somalia and among the Somali diaspora worldwide.
Media experts warn that when news pages are suspended, restricted, or repeatedly subjected to content removals, the public’s access to information on politics, security, governance, and social issues can be severely affected.
The report further suggests that some journalists have become hesitant to report on politically sensitive issues after experiencing online harassment and repeated attacks on their digital platforms.
Press freedom advocates argue that such pressure can create a chilling effect, discouraging journalists from investigating controversial topics and limiting the diversity of viewpoints available to the public.
Somalia has long faced challenges related to media freedom, with journalists often operating in a difficult environment marked by security threats, political pressure, and legal disputes.
The emergence of digital attacks and alleged abuse of copyright systems represents a newer challenge that has become increasingly important as news consumption shifts online.
SJS said it contacted Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) regarding allegations that government institutions may have been linked to some of the incidents.
According to the organization, it did not receive a satisfactory response during the course of its investigation.
The journalists’ union also said that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, did not respond to its inquiries regarding the reported copyright claims and content removals.
The lack of transparency surrounding the complaints has fueled concerns among media organizations, many of which say they have been unable to determine who filed the claims or whether the complaints were legitimate.
Copyright protection remains an important legal mechanism designed to safeguard original content and intellectual property rights.
However, media advocates warn that if copyright systems are abused through false or malicious complaints, they can become tools for censorship and suppression rather than protection.
The report urges Somali media organizations to strengthen the security of their social media accounts, maintain records proving ownership of their content, and make greater use of official appeal mechanisms when facing questionable copyright claims.
At the same time, press freedom groups are calling on social media companies to improve their review processes to ensure that legitimate journalism is not removed through fraudulent or politically motivated complaints.
As millions of Somalis increasingly depend on social media for news and information, the stakes are high.
A prolonged pattern of account restrictions, false copyright claims, and online intimidation could significantly undermine the ability of independent media to operate freely and inform the public.
SJS concluded that digital attacks have become a growing obstacle to independent journalism in Somalia, adding a new layer of pressure to an industry that already faces security, political, and financial challenges.
The central question now, the organization argues, is whether social media platforms can effectively distinguish between legitimate copyright complaints and those allegedly used to silence journalists and restrict the flow of information.