About SMSJ
Improving Journalist Safety in Somalia: Developing a Comprehensive Safety Mechanism
Who We Are
The Somali Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists (SMSJ): A coalition of Somali media associations has come together to address the pressing issue of journalist safety in Somalia. With support from IMS-Fojo, they have jointly designed a comprehensive safety mechanism aimed at preventing journalists from exposing themselves to risks and addressing the needs of those who are under threat or have already faced dangerous situations.
This safety mechanism is based on a collaborative risk assessment and the development of an effective strategy. It incorporates best practices from other countries, such as Afghanistan, Colombia, and Kenya. Attention to journalist safety aligns with the priorities outlined in the Federal Media Support Strategy, finalized in early 2016 following a consultative process involving multiple stakeholders.
Members of the Safety Mechanism
- Media Association of Puntland (MAP)
- Somalia Media Association (SOMA)
- Media Women’s etwork
(MWN) - Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA)
- Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS)
- Federation of Somali
Journalists (FESOJ), - and Somali Women Journalists Organization (SWJO)
Objective
The primary objective of the safety mechanism is to enhance the safety and protection of journalists and media personnel in Somalia, with a particular focus on South Central Somalia and Puntland.
Vision
The vision of this safety mechanism is to establish a secure environment for journalists and the media in Somalia, enabling free and independent journalism that can contribute to restoring peace, law and order, good governance, and fostering an open and democratic society.
Management of the Safety Mechanism
The safety mechanism will be jointly managed by Somali media associations and the IMS-Fojo program, involving five key actors who will play vital roles in organizing and implementing activities.
The safety committee will comprise representatives from each participating media association and a representative from IMS-Fojo. This committee will oversee the entire safety mechanism, making decisions regarding overall strategies and supporting individual cases.
Safety Unit
A safety unit, consisting of at least two staff members (ensuring gender balance), was established in Mogadishu. The safety unit will serve as the central hub for receiving information from a network of monitors about incidents affecting journalists. It will ensure that this information is properly documented in a database and that appropriate responses are initiated.