International Association Of Independent Journalists Inc.

[IAIJ]

Citizen Journalism in Somalia


By Daud Abdi Daud Dimbil


In Somalia Citizen Journalism exists with the frontline news dissemination hub across Somalia as Somalis describe that they are a oral society culturally. This kind of citizen journalism is currently playing a vital role in the public have your say meetings or media morning and evening public calls. After while in the year of 1992 Somalia government collapsed as President Mohamed Siyad Barre, a military general who ruled the country almost two decades was chased out of the city by armed tribal militiamen. A total destruction, anarchy, social disintegration, economic degrading and all sorts of unprecedented events started, disappearance of social infrastructure including all public, governmental or private institutions followed, lawlessness, looting, killing, raping, shelling civilian populated areas had become some of the daily events in every location in Somalia.

These citizen journalists are using mobile phones and other optional social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and Skype as well as Paltalk when they are circulating their news items and this happens without restrictions.

Culturally, this group of people is better known as in mother tongue “Warsuqed” or “Fadikudirir” and it’s a common nationwide. Internet service is available in large cities in Somalia, and users enjoy a relatively fast and inexpensive connection. Nevertheless, owing to pervasive poverty and the internal displacement of many Somalis, access is limited.

Apart from the other traditional media, citizen journalists are free and always no one knows who they are or where they from even themselves they don’t know that they are working as professional journalists. Somalia is one of the most dangerous places to work as journalist, only the last year of 2012 nearby 20 journalists were killed while more than 30 wounded by Islamist insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda.

Recently, Somalis living outside the country or from overseas and better known as Diaspora are more active and involve such this kind of citizen journalism by sharing the local information and ground activities.