The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has successfully concluded the first-ever Eastern Africa regional legal roundtable that aimed at reinforcing protection for journalists facing legal persecution in Somalia, Kenya and Uganda while building unprecedented cooperation, mutual support and grassroots-driven legal defence campaigns. Held from 19 to 21 May 2025 in Nairobi, the Eastern Africa Legal Defence Roundtable brought together legal professionals, media rights advocates and representatives of journalist unions to address the rising legal threats against independent journalism in the region, with a sharp focus on the three target countries. “Across Eastern Africa, journalists face growing legal and protection challenges. She continued, “That is why UNESCO, through the Global Media Defence Fund, is willing and proud to support this roundtable. The roundtable concluded with the adoption of a strategic framework for legal defence.