Emmanuel OchayiSomalia’s first and only all-women media team, Bilan, has been named one of the three nominees for the prestigious 2023 Index on Censorship Press Freedom Award in the Journalism category.
This nomination comes after nearly two years of resilience, during which Bilan shattered societal taboos and paved the way for women journalists in one of the world’s most perilous regions for news reporting.
In Somalia, journalists often confront life-threatening risks, including shootings, detention, and assaults. Female journalists face even more challenges, such as harassment on the streets, workplace abuse, and exclusion from career opportunities.
However, since its establishment in 2021 with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bilan has fearlessly confronted these challenges, bringing a fresh perspective and highlighting previously neglected issues in Somalia’s media landscape.
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Bilan’s Chief Editor, Fathi Mohamed Ahmed, expressed their unwavering commitment, saying, “Despite the risks, we believe passionately that women deserve a place at the top of journalism. We know our work is dangerous, but if we don’t speak out about the issues affecting us, who will and how will things ever change?”
With the backing of UNDP, Bilan has provided Somali women journalists with the unique opportunity to exercise complete editorial independence, enabling them to decide what to report and how to report it.
They have leveraged this freedom to break some of Somalia’s most significant stories, shedding light on previously ignored issues, such as discrimination against albino communities, the struggles of HIV-positive Somalis living on the streets, the abuse faced by female orphans, schools for autistic children and teachers, and an alarming epidemic of opiate use among women in Mogadishu.
Achim Steiner, the UNDP Administrator, remarked on Bilan’s unprecedented impact, stating, “Bilan’s arrival on the Somali media scene is completely unprecedented. As well as directly raising important issues for public debate, the quality of their work makes its own case for women playing a key role in media and journalism. This nomination is a recognition of their journalistic talent, commitment, and determination.”
Bilan’s reports have reached millions of Somalis through radio, TV, and social media channels of Dalsan Media Group, which houses Bilan in their offices in Mogadishu. Furthermore, Bilan’s reports have gained international recognition, featuring regularly in media outlets such as The Guardian, BBC, El País, and the Toronto Star.
This not only elevates the profile of Somali women journalists but also demonstrates their ability to compete at the highest levels despite facing discrimination, threats of violence, and even interviewing high-profile figures with newborns in tow.
Although Bilan has enjoyed remarkable success, the individual stories of its journalists shed light on the arduous journey Somali women face in pursuing a career in journalism.
Chief Editor Fathi has reported from the scenes of terrorist bombings and endured street abuse while pregnant. Reporter Kiin, who frequently covers stories about refugees and internally displaced persons, grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya herself.
The youngest team member, Shukri, confronted intense social disapproval when she left her home in Baidoa to work at Bilan in Mogadishu.
Bilan’s Deputy Chief Editor, Hinda Abdi Mohamoud, emphasized, “Bilan shows just how baseless traditional stereotypes can be and provides women with a powerful voice for free expression. We’ve demonstrated through our work how a group of women journalists can manage a media unit and produce stories that reveal the truth and change lives.”
The Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expression Awards honors individuals and groups making a significant impact in the fight against censorship globally, across four categories: Arts, Campaigning, Journalism, and the Trustee Award. Winners will be celebrated at a gala event in London and receive financial support. Bilan’s nomination stands as a testament to their remarkable achievements in the realm of journalism and their dedication to press freedom.
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