Event Summary
On 17 December 2025, a civil society-led policy brief titled “Strengthening Governance and the Responsible Use of Social Media in Somalia: Advancing Digital Rights and Safeguarding Digital Civic Space” was released. In the brief, Somali Non-State Actors highlighted the central role of social media platforms in Somalia’s political, social, and economic life: particularly in a context where traditional media access is limited and digital engagement is rapidly expanding. While social media has enhanced civic participation and information sharing, the policy underscored emerging risks linked to weak regulatory frameworks, fragmented institutional oversight, and limited enforcement of data protection and cybersecurity measures.
The brief emphasized early warning indicators such as the spread of misinformation and disinformation, online hate speech, political manipulation, and gender-based digital violence, which disproportionately affect women, youth, journalists, and human rights defenders. These dynamics pose growing risks to social cohesion, public trust and democratic participation. Participants stressed that safeguarding digital rights, including freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information must remain central to any regulatory response, while cautioning against restrictive measures such as blanket censorship or internet shutdowns.
The brief calls for urgent, preventive, and coordinated action to develop and implement a comprehensive national social media governance framework grounded in human rights, transparency, and inclusivity. Key recommendations included establishing a national digital safety and response mechanism, strengthening engagement with global social media platforms, and expanding digital literacy initiatives to protect civic space and promote responsible social media use in Somalia.
The release of this civil society-led policy brief is part of an ongoing pattern rather than an isolated event. Over the past several years, Somali non-state actors, including civil society organizations and media monitoring groups, have increasingly highlighted the risks and governance gaps associated with social media use. Similar initiatives have focused on combating misinformation, promoting digital literacy, and advocating for stronger cybersecurity and data protection measures. These activities reflect a broader trend in Somalia, where rapid digitalization has outpaced regulatory frameworks, creating recurring concerns over online harassment, hate speech, political manipulation, and the erosion of civic space.
The pattern is characterized by repeated early warning signals such as the spread of false information, gender-based digital violence, and attacks on journalists and human rights defenders. These signals have been observed during elections, security incidents, and periods of heightened political tension. The publication of the policy brief represents a systematic civil society response to these persistent challenges, combining research, advocacy, and preventive recommendations. Its release aligns with prior efforts to strengthen governance, safeguard digital rights, and enhance social cohesion, demonstrating continuity in addressing emerging risks within Somalia’s digital landscape.