FESOJ Completed Training on Empowering Journalists with Legal Knowledge to Safeguard their work
Mogadishu, Monday, February 17, 2025: In partnership with United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has completed a two – day training workshop for empowering journalists with legal knowledge to safeguard their work in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Twenty-five individuals, including journalists and legal professionals, were the key participants in the training program held at the Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, from February 15 to 16, 2025.
“The training is significant and opportunity for empowering journalists with the legal knowledge to safeguard their work. Its opportunity to cooperate jointly in learning, sharing and reporting on legal education.” Farah Omar Nur, Secretary General of FESOJ stated in his opening remarks.
Senior trainers from FESOJ and a female lawyer and Director of Hill Law Firm has been facilitating presentations on key topics focusing on legal rights, safety protocol, addressing emergency situations faced by journalists in high-risk areas, ethical journalism, ethical journalism and legal compliance.
During the first day sessions, presentation was made on the key themes on: -the role of media in promoting justice and protecting human rights through investigative journalism, awareness campaigns, public discourse, the media holds power to influence policies, expose injustice and empower communities. The role of the media was pointed out to be related with the exploring media influence on advocacy, accountability and awareness raising.
The presentation detailed overview of article nineteen of the Declaration of Human Rights, which states everyone has the right to freedom of expression, the right to hold opinions, seek information and share ideas without interference.
Moreover, in a separate session, Hussein Adam (Abunafisa), the Academic Director of the Somali Digital Media Academy (SODMA) and a Sudanese media expert, shared his media experience with the participants. He emphasized that the training is highly significant in providing legal education to journalists, helping them protect themselves and their work. He also advised journalists to enhance their linguistic skills to further improve their professional standards.
In a discussion session on Safety Protocol for journalists, which was described protection of journalists’ self -safety as top priority, advantages and disadvantages of Somali media, the weak points of the Somali media, how can we reduce violations against journalists and how can we improve the Somali media were also raised and discussed.
During the second sessions, the key themes covered included: The media law and regulations, the Somali Constitution and its guarantees for freedom of speech and press, Press -Freedom regulations, digital security and protection of online sources and the use of Social Media.
The themes covered included press freedom regulations, Declaration of Windhoek, Geneva Convention and protection of journalists in conflict zones. Social media regulations. Press Freedom and Challenges and threats, advantages of press regulations and media strategy.
In addition, a discussion session was conducted on how the journalist could seek legal support when experiencing difficulties as journalists sometimes became victims of harassment, threats, attack and destruction of media equipment. It was raised there is the need for upgrading the knowledge of journalists with legal education., and provide them with legal advice on how journalists could react when they experience difficulties.
Ismail Abdulkadir Ali, disable journalist participant indicated to have received many experiences from the training related with learning the law of the country, protection of human rights and the role of journalists, learning who to ask for assistance when in trouble and the mistakes by the reporters and how they can avoid that.
“We benefited from the training in gaining opportunity to find out how the rules are applied, not to violate the ethics of journalism. We are prepared to enhance our professional skills and expect for more training. “Seynab Ciid, female journalist, Faculty of Journalism, Mogadishu University, one of the participants stated.
Farah Omar Nur, FESOJ Secretary General appreciated the participants for their time in attending the workshop. He suggested to establish WhatsApp Groups link and has been created under the title of (Legal Journalism Training) for future communication and share information through Facebook on issues dealing with the capacity building for legal education.
“With FESOJ and Hiil Law Firm close cooperation, Somali journalists will be better equipped with improved legal knowledge to perform their duties ethically and effectively, impacting to a free and independent press in Somalia.” Imaan Abdikarim, a female lawyer and Director of Hill Law Firm pointed out.
“The training is significant and opportunity for the journalists to learn about legal knowledge to protect themselves from harassment, violence, and arbitrary detention and defend their rights.”Abadir Abdulkadir Elmi, Chairman of FESOJ stated in closing speech.
In conclusion of the workshop, participants were awarded certificates of attendance.
