A coalition of international and Somali journalism organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), is calling on Somalia’s Federal Government to withdraw a controversial information bill, arguing that it poses a severe threat to transparency and the public’s right to access information. The Official Information Bill (OIB), passed by the Council of Ministers in March 2024 and now under review by the House of the People of the Federal Parliament, has sparked widespread concern among media groups and civil society.
In a joint statement, the coalition expressed “profound concern” over the bill, which they argue “severely curtails the constitutionally protected right to access information” in contradiction to international human rights standards. They argued that the bill’s ambiguous definitions could easily be used as a pretext for withholding information, posing a “significant threat to transparency and public accountability.”
“These exemptions unjustifiably limit the flow of information, violating the public’s right to know,” the statement read. The coalition also highlighted the bill’s inclusion of national security provisions, noting that these should be governed by separate legislation.
The coalition further criticized the bill’s development process, describing it as “deeply troubling.” According to the IFJ and its partners, the bill was drafted and presented to the Council of Ministers in secrecy, without the essential public consultations or stakeholder engagement. “This clandestine approach not only undermines the Bill’s legitimacy and national support but also risks entrenching a culture of secrecy within Somalia’s public institutions and enabling corruption to flourish if it is adopted,” the statement warned.
The coalition, which includes Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the African Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), urged the Somali government to withdraw the bill and engage in comprehensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders. The adoption of the bill in its current form, they argue, would represent a major setback in Somalia’s democratic transition and could set a dangerous precedent for future legislation.
“This is essential to ensure alignment with the African Union Model Law on Access to Information and full respect for the right to access information, as enshrined in Somalia’s Constitution and international human rights law,” the statement emphasized.
