Somalia

The media landscape in Somalia is marked by civil war and insecurity, with a multiplicity of actors and outlets reflecting political, clan, business and other interests. Editorial and technical skills are also compromised by a lack of basic education. Press freedom is also in decline, with increasing arrests of journalists and closure of media houses.  

What we do

Fojo has been working in Somalia since 2014, supporting independent media houses, journalism education and increased gender equality in and through the media. In the current program (2024-2025), Fojo’s focus areas are journalism education and gender equality.

Fojo has a strategic partnership with Somalia National University (SNU), the oldest university in the country and the first to re-establish a formal journalism education. They re-opened their Department of Journalism in 2017, after 26 years closure due to civil war and insecurity.

Since reopening, SNU has – with the support of Fojo – developed a new curriculum for a Bachelor of Art’s degree in Journalism that meets international standards, delivered training in mobile journalism and introduced 1- and 2-year Diploma Courses for working journalists, ensuring professionalisation of the journalist profession in Somalia.