With the help of VIKES, FESOJ organized peace reporting workshops in Mogadishu
Mogadishu, Sunday, May 28, 2023: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has concluded two- days of peace journalism on how to report news on peace in Mogadishu that have been conducted with the support of Finnish foundation for Media and Development (VIKES)
Twenty participants including reporters, traditional elders, youth of both genders have benefited from the capacity building program which has been concentrated on how journalism can contribute to revive peace in Somalia. This training was done from 9th to 10th May 2023 at Sahafi Hotel, Mogadishu. The participants have exchanged different views on how to strengthen news for peace and prevent those that could provoke conflicts.
Senior trainers from FESOJ, VIKES and CAFIS have been facilitating presentations focusing on main themes including how the media and the civil society can jointly strengthen peace, causes of conflicts, the role of the media and other significant topics.
In his opening remarks, Wali Hashi, VIKES representative in Somalia pointed out the intention of the training is for Somalia journalists to get adequate knowledge to support peace by using their professional skills.
Shukri Mohamud, a member of government media, indicated there are many challenges the journalists are facing to provide opportunities to the people working for peace, however, the most important thing is to improve the knowledge of peace journalism which is new for journalism in Somalia.
Ugas Mohamed Bashir Ugas, a member of Somali culture participating in the training, has said the culture has a major role in maintaining peace in this country, and this is an opportunity for the reporters and the cultural elders to cooperate in the efforts for promoting peace.
During the two- day training proceedings, the participants have made an analysis by responding to questions about the role they can play in peace and the challenges they are currently experiencing. The participants have agreed that it’s important to continue this type of gaining knowledge, while appreciating FESOJ for organizing this training and VIKES for supporting the initiative.
Mohamed Mohamud Adde, prominent journalist who has worked with the BB NEWS and part of the facilitators, indicated there is need to always make the words of peace repetitive at the media level
The media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and discourse, especially in conflict and post-conflict contexts. However, traditional journalism has often contributed to the escalation of conflicts by focusing on sensational and violent news stories. Peace journalism, on the other hand, aims to provide more nuanced and context-specific reporting that promotes peaceful solutions to conflicts. In Somalia, where violence and conflict have been prevalent for decades, peace journalism can help promote peace, reconciliation, and stability.
In partnership with VIKES, FESOJ is intending to conduct similar training within this year, and we are expecting the awareness of the Somali journalists on peace programs will eventually increase significantly in Somali society.
