We have organized a meeting to assess the priority needs of Somali disabled journalists
Mogadishu, Monday, May 29, 2022: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has concluded a one-day meeting on assessment priority needs for Somali disabled journalists that was held on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu City, Somalia.
Members from the Somali Disable Journalists Association (SODJA) working for various media outlets in the cities of Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa and Garowe were the key participants in the meeting, discussing the general condition of the journalists with special and priority needs.
The representatives of the disabled journalists from the cities of Kismayo, Baidoa, Garowe and Dusamareb attended the meeting via virtual means.
“There are 14% of the journalists are disabled, this represents 16% of the world population, and one in six of the population is disable, and the situation is increasing and needs to think about, consider and supported.” Ahmed Mohamed Ali Sharif, FESOJ head of training department explained.
He added that the agenda of the meeting will cover seven key points including working conditions of disable journalists, problems they face at the duty station and outside the workplace, how they cope with these problems, what recommendation they may provide as disable journalists and group work with presentation of their findings.
“The purpose of the meeting is to create environment of collective bargaining, unified voice and awareness raising program for improving the situation of the disabled journalists in Somalia, and plan to produce short video documentary presenting the priority needs of the disable journalists.”Mohamed Mohamud Adde , Senior Media Trainer has pointed out in his opening remarks.
The meeting discussed the challenges and how to address them. The key issues raised include that the media directors have no trust that the disable journalists could work, and are not receiving equal salaries compared with the able journalists, and do not receive sufficient capacity building training program as other journalists as well.
The other challenges mentioned included that disabled journalists are less employed and lack the necessary equipment to facilitate their journalistic work, lack role of leadership, and work in a challenging and risky environment.
Abdifatah Hassan (Kalgacal), visually impaired senior journalist and Chairman of the Somali Disable Journalists Association (SODJA), pointed out there is a need to review the media law as it does not mention the rights of disabled journalists and suggests FESOJ take the lead.
In addition, following the discussions, valuable recommendations were made, including FESOJ to include disabled journalists in their training programs to make them visible, engage advisors for the affairs of the disabled journalists, and provide modern software equipment that the disabled journalists could use, and safety training to improve their overall security.
The meeting is part of program activities funded by the EU, supported by Free Press Unlimited (FPU) and implemented by FESOJ in cooperation with VIKES.
