FESOJ Concludes Training Workshop on Media Safety and Freedom of Expression for Journalists and Police Officers in Dhuusamareeb city, Galmudug State, ahead of Somalia elections

Dhuusamareeb, Galmduug, Wednesday, August 11, 2021: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) concluded a two–day training workshop for 25 journalists and 2 police officers on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists and public order in Dhuusamareeb city, Galmudug, ahead of the elections in Somalia.
The training conducted in cooperation with the Finnish Foundation for Media and Development (VIKES) with funding from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has been held from August 9-10, 2021, at Hotel Adaami Dhuusamareeb City, Galmudug State.
The main aim of the training workshop was to establish effective professional relationships between the journalists and the police force to achieve a better environment for freedom of expression for all the public. The purpose of the exercise was also to promote the capacity of security forces to defend citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and information by supporting the safety of journalists.

On the first day of the training, Abdifatah Hassan Farah, Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) welcomed all the participants to the training, explained the purpose of the training and pointed out FESOJ will continue implementing similar training programs.

“This training is very significant for the journalists and the police, I hope the police and the journalists will exchange questions during the training sessions, and they will eventually cooperate to achieve the intended aims of the training.” Bashir Mohamed Salad, the Director of information and spokesperson of Dhuusamareeb city said.

Farah Omar Nur, Secretary-General of FESOJ, has urged the journalists and the police to have positive discussions and present the prevailing challenges. He pointed out that FESOJ is encouraging the journalists to raise their awareness and establish places where they could exchange information to defend their rights.

In his official opening remarks, Ahmed Shire Flagle, Minister of Information of Galmudug State praising the training pointed out the training programs, which is new to the journalists in Galmudug State, is being conducted at a time when elections are underway in Galmudug State and highlighted that it is important for the police and the journalists to work together. He warned against fake news.

During the two–day training sessions, all the participants were taken through the key topics on how to communicate with the media, operational safety procedures when dealing with the journalists and freedom of expression, how the security forces can ensure the journalists can access the information they need to pass to the public.

During the second day sessions, the participants have analyzed how the journalists and the police could cooperate as even elections are going on in the country.

The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has invited Mohamed Hassan Irro, the Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission and Mohamed Dahir Guuleed, the Chairman of the Galmudug State Electoral Commission and members from both commissions to briefly attend the training venue. The members of the Electoral Commissions have commended FESOJ for the efforts to improve the knowledge of the journalists, especially during the election period when the cooperation of the journalists and the police is important.

The members of the Electoral Commission has pointed the journalists should do their best efforts to avoid fake news during the current elections in Galmudug State.

Mohamed Hassan Irro, the Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission responding to questions from some of the participating journalists pointed out the Commission has developed a system that would make it easier for the journalists to access the information they need and urged the reporters to check on election-related news.

The 25 journalists participating in the training workshop has been given the benefit to receive a printed copy of the booklet entitled “Journalist Know Your Rights” that is intended to raise their awareness and understanding of issues relating to their labour rights.

FESOJ has published the booklet in partnership with the Finnish Foundation for media and development (VIKES), the EU Mission in Somalia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

In his closing remarks, Abdirahman Naaleeyey, Deputy Minister of Information of Galmudug State appreciated FESOJ for its role in enhancing the media in Somalia, particularly in improving the professional skills of the journalist in Galmudug State.

FESOJ in partnership with VIKES has been conducting training programs related to freedom of speech, the safety of journalists and maintaining public order for the journalists and the police operating at the various regional states of Somalia

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