FESOJ has Concluded Panel Discussion on the Booklet about the rights of the journalists
Mogadishu, Thursday, December 15, 2022: The Federation of the Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has concluded a panel discussion on the booklet about the rights of journalists in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The panel event was held at Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu, with 42 people in attendance.
The participants were journalists from various media houses, media managers, media associations, members of the trusted person committee and important members of civil society groups.
Each participant has been provided with a booklet copy for easy reference during the debate and questions/answers.
Mohamed Adde, a senior trainer in the field of journalism, moderated the panel discussion. The director of Radio Danan Adam Adamo, a female reporter, Saadiya Eid, senior lecturer Prof. Abdishakur Sheikh Hassan Fiqi and Prof. Nageye Ali Khalif from the Faculty of Journalism of the Somali National University, and the head of the Training Department of FESOJ, Ahmed Ali Sharif, participated in the topic analysis. They all spoke about the importance of this booklet, showing awareness and how Somali journalists can benefit from it.
The discussion about the booklet was analyzed in chapter-by-chapter format.
“The booklet serves as a handbook and summarizes the suggestions made during the labor advocacy campaigns, consultations and training for the trusted persons throughout Somalia. It explains why contracts are necessary for working journalists to protect their employment rights.” Farah Omar Nur, FESOJ Secretary-General, said in his opening remarks.
Furthermore, the panel discussion has raised valuable ideas to improve the understanding of Somali journalists for their labor rights, the significance of collective bargaining and joining labor unions.
In conclusion, the discourse focused on encouraging the journalists to read thoroughly the information containing in the booklet so that they will be in position to discuss their labor rights with the media management effectively.
Journalists will also need to be well conversant with the trade union laws in order to minimize and manage professionally the major challenges facing Somali media workers. Journalists are advised to increase their professional capacity and learn the necessary skills of conflict resolution in the workplace.
The booklet entitled “Journalist, Know Your Rights” has been compiled and printed by the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) in partnership with the Finnish Foundation for media and development (VIKES), the EU Mission in Somalia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
