The National Union of Somali Journalists unequivocally condemns the intensifying repressive actions by parliamentary authorities that have obstructed journalists, restricted access to a public institution and interfered with the Somali people’s right to know. These are not routine administrative measures. They amount to a calculated rollback of transparency and a direct attack on constitutional freedoms and democratic accountability.

On 28 January 2026, three female journalists working in Mogadishu were barred from the House of the People. Nimo Muhudiin Ardofe of Somali Cable TV, Amina Ibrahim Abdirahman of Arlaadi TV and Rowda Hassan Taakile of Goobjoog TV were excluded after publishing video clips on their personal Facebook accounts showing disorder during constitutional debates. Punishing journalists for documenting factual events is intimidation. It sends a chilling warning to the entire media community that reporting the truth can lead to punishment.

This action reveals an unacceptable attempt to control editorial independence. Reports that parliamentary leadership reached an understanding with certain media houses not to report on the chaos surrounding constitutional discussions point to political interference in newsroom decisions. Authorities are not only limiting physical access. They are attempting to dictate coverage, which is a clear abuse of power.

The situation escalated on 2 February 2026 when the same journalists were again denied entry by parliamentary officials and security forces. Journalists already inside the building were removed to stop coverage of unfolding disputes. On 7 February 2026, journalists as a group were expelled from Parliament. This amounted to a collective blackout imposed on a public institution during a moment of national importance. Closing Parliament to the press when tensions rise reflects secrecy, not democratic governance.

NUSOJ formally challenged these violations. On 2 February 2026, the union addressed a protest letter to the Speaker of the House of the People, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur, demanding an immediate end to these actions. The union stressed that Parliament belongs to the Somali people and cannot be turned into a closed arena whenever debates become uncomfortable. While the three women journalists were later allowed to re-enter the premises, this step was not accompanied by public acknowledgement of wrongdoing and does not erase the earlier violations.

NUSOJ is also deeply alarmed by reports of technological interference with the authenticity of parliamentary proceedings. During a session marked by shouting, whistles and loud protests, AI-based audio processing was used to isolate and amplify the official speaker’s voice while suppressing surrounding sounds, including the whistle. AI tools designed for noise reduction can identify specific voice frequencies and filter out what is classified as background noise. In this context, however, the so-called background included political protests, dissent and disruptions inside the chamber. As a result, the public received an edited soundscape where tension and resistance were digitally erased.

This practice undermines the integrity of the public record. Parliamentary debates are not only about formal speeches. They also reflect disagreement, interruption and political contestation. Removing whistles, shouting and protest sounds strips away context and presents a misleading image of calm order. It alters the atmosphere in which statements were made and risks transforming official records into curated narratives rather than faithful documentation.

Technology’s normalisation of information control poses a broader danger. When the environment of political debate can be digitally reshaped, public perception can be quietly steered. This erodes trust in institutions and in official sources of information and weakens the foundations of democratic transparency.

NUSOJ demands unfettered access for journalists to cover parliamentary proceedings, an end to political interference in editorial decisions and firm guarantees that no technological or administrative measures will be used to distort the factual record of parliamentary activity. Media freedom, equal access and truthful documentation are not privileges. They are rights and duties at the core of democratic governance.