FESOJ and MWN Spearhead Training Workshop to Enhance Direct Election Reporting in Mogadishu
Mogadishu, Monday, April 22, 2024: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) and the Media Women Networks (MWN) concluded a highly successful three-day training workshop in Mogadishu on Monday . The workshop, conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), aimed to bolster the culture of direct elections and election reporting among Somali journalists, ultimately contributing to the stability, security, and political peace of Somalia.
The event, hosted at the Sahafi Hotel, brought together thirty journalists representing various media outlets and organizations. Notably, the organizers prioritized inclusivity, striving for a 50% female participation rate and extending special considerations to journalists with disabilities and marginalized individuals.
Throughout the workshop, participants honed their skills in election reporting, with a focus on fostering public engagement and promoting good governance. Sessions covered a range of topics, including comprehensive reporting on direct elections, ethical journalism practices, and countering misinformation and hate speech.
Key figures in the Somali journalism community, including Farah Omar Nur, Secretary General of FESOJ, and Mohamed Mohamud Adde, a senior journalist, underscored the importance of the training in elevating journalists’ competencies and advancing the one man one vote system.
Facilitators from FESOJ and MWN, renowned experts in media training, led dynamic discussions and analyses on various election-related themes. These included the responsible use of social media in elections, conflict-sensitive reporting, and ensuring journalist safety during election campaigns.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the workshop’s impact on their professional development. Hani Mohamed, a journalist from Danan Radio TV, commended the training for enhancing her understanding of direct elections and reporting techniques. Similarly, Walid Mohamed Ali, a visually impaired journalist, emphasized the workshop’s significance in equipping journalists with the requisite skills for reporting on direct elections, particularly in anticipation of the introduction of the one man one vote system in 2026.
In conclusion, Mohamed Mohamud Adde lauded the workshop’s benefits for trained journalists, affirming the pivotal role of journalists in election reporting. With the support of UNSOM, FESOJ, and MWN, similar training initiatives are planned for regional states across Somalia, offering journalists further opportunities to enhance their professional capacities and foster a culture of direct elections.
