Safe Reporters of Somalia (SRS)
Who We Are
Safe Reporters of Somalia (SRS) was established on 3 May 2016 as an independent, non-profit organization committed to protecting, supporting, and empowering journalists and media professionals in Somalia.
Operating in one of the world’s most challenging environments for journalism, SRS works to ensure that journalists can carry out their vital work safely, independently, and without fear. Somalia’s journalists continue to face threats, harassment, intimidation, arbitrary detention, violence, and other forms of pressure. In this challenging environment, SRS serves as a trusted national platform for journalist safety, protection, advocacy, and capacity development.
SRS believes that a free, safe, and independent media is essential to a peaceful, democratic, and accountable Somalia. Journalists play a critical role in informing the public, promoting transparency, exposing wrongdoing, strengthening accountability, and facilitating informed public dialogue. Protecting journalists therefore means protecting the public’s right to information and strengthening the foundations of democratic governance.
Since its establishment, SRS has worked to advance an enabling environment in which journalists can report responsibly and ethically while exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression and access to information.
Our Vision
A Somalia where every journalist can work freely, safely, and independently, contributing to a peaceful, accountable, and democratic society where citizens have access to reliable and independent information.
Our Mission
To protect, support, and empower journalists and media professionals in Somalia through protection and emergency assistance, safety training, advocacy, capacity building, monitoring, and strategic partnerships.
SRS works to strengthen journalists’ ability to operate safely and professionally while advocating for an environment that respects press freedom, freedom of expression, journalists’ rights, and ethical journalism.
Our Strategic Approach
- Journalist Protection and Safety
We provide practical support and assistance to journalists facing threats, harassment, violence, detention, or other forms of risk. Our work focuses on strengthening journalists’ physical, digital, and operational safety so they can continue their work with greater confidence and resilience.
2. Capacity Building
SRS invests in the professional development of journalists and media organizations through training, mentoring, awareness programmes, and other capacity-building initiatives. These efforts strengthen professional standards, ethical reporting, conflict-sensitive journalism, and journalists’ ability to operate safely in challenging environments.
3. Advocacy and Press Freedom
We advocate for the protection of journalists and the advancement of press freedom in Somalia. SRS documents and raises awareness of violations against journalists and promotes dialogue among media stakeholders, government institutions, civil society, and international partners to strengthen the protection of journalists and freedom of expression.
4. Monitoring and Documentation
SRS monitors incidents affecting journalists and media freedom across Somalia, documenting cases of threats, arrests, harassment, violence, censorship, and other violations. This evidence contributes to greater awareness, accountability, and informed advocacy for a safer media environment.
5. Partnerships and Collaboration
We recognize that protecting journalists and strengthening media freedom requires collective action. SRS works with media houses, journalists’ networks, civil society organizations, government institutions, development partners, and international organizations to promote coordinated and sustainable solutions.
Our Core Principles
Independence: We uphold the independence of journalism and maintain an impartial approach in our protection and advocacy work.
Journalist-Centered: We place the safety, dignity, rights, and professional needs of journalists at the center of our work.
Integrity: We promote accuracy, accountability, professionalism, and ethical standards in journalism.
Inclusivity: We support an inclusive media environment where all journalists, including women and journalists working in vulnerable or high-risk settings, can perform their duties safely and professionally.
Action-Oriented: We believe that advocacy must be accompanied by practical action. We seek to provide timely and meaningful support when journalists are at risk.
Partnership: We build strategic partnerships and encourage collective action to advance journalist safety and press freedom.
Sustainability: We focus on strengthening long-term capacity, resilience, policies, and systems that contribute to a safer and more enabling environment for journalism in Somalia.
Our Commitment
SRS remains committed to building a Somalia where journalists do not have to choose between telling the truth and protecting their lives.
We will continue to work with national and international partners to strengthen journalist safety, promote press freedom, advance professional journalism, and ensure that journalists can contribute meaningfully to peace, accountability, good governance, and informed public discourse.
