FESOJ has completed a training workshop on reporting marginalized and minority groups in the cities of Beledweyne and Kismayo
Mogadishu, Monday, April 10, 2023: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has completed a training workshop on reporting marginalized and minority groups, held simultaneously in Beledweyne City, Hirshabelle State and Kismayo City of Jubbaland State.
Eighty participants comprising journalists, marginalized and minority groups, and CSO attended the 3- day training program, which cooperated with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) from 9th to 10th April 2023 concurrently in the cities of Beledweyne and Kismayo.
“The training intends for the journalists to learn how to report on issues related to marginalized and minority groups and how to work for unified community that works for their development and that of the country.” In his opening remarks, Farah Omar Nur, Secretary General of FESOJ, said.
On his part, Mohamed Ali Mohamed, Beledweyne Security Deputy District Commissioner, in his opening statement, described the training as education upgrading the community and appreciated FESOJ and UNSOM for organizing and supporting the initiative and urged the participants to take advantage of the 3-day training course.
Furthermore, Hussien Abdi Jimale and Iqra Ali Omar speaking on behalf of the Baladweyn reporters, have well-received the training program and pointed out that it responds to the priority need to report on the issues of the marginalized and minority groups.
Yusuf Mohamud Maame, one of the journalists in Kismayo who is also from marginalized people, said that he learned from the training that marginalized people can change things when cooperating with journalists.
“The training is valuable for the journalists and the traditional elders he represents.” Elder Hassan Guuleed, who was one of the participants, indicated.
Sheikh Hassan Ahmed Wasuge speaking about the Islamic religion, urged the participants to tell the truth about their religion and practice what it dictates.
During the 3-day training proceedings, the participants were exposed to the main themes, Conflict Sensitive Reporting Training, Ethics of Journalism, Interview skills, Minority rights, What could be NEWS, Social inclusion, Stereotype and Stigma and VOX POP.
Moreover, during the three-day training programs at both locations, the participants were given time to debate and discuss how to strengthen close cooperation between marginalized/ minority groups and media reporters in jointly improving the role of the media covering programs and stories relating to marginalized and minority groups.
Previously, the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has implemented similar training programs concurrently in Baidoa, Dusamareb, Mogadishu and Garowe from 28 March to 3rd April 2023, explicitly aiming to improve media coverage of marginalized and minority groups.
In cooperation with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) plans to conduct training programs on youth issues in the major cities of Somalia.
