Press Statement for Immediate Release
SOMA concluded A Four – Day Safety And Election Coverage Training Workshop For 20 Journalists in Jowhar City, Hirshabelle State of Somalia –
Jowhar City, Saturday, January 23, 2021: A four-day training workshop for twenty journalists operational in the regional state has been concluded in Jowhar City, Hirshabelle State on last Thursday. January 21, 2021
The training workshop supported by IMS/FOJO and implemented by the Somali Media Association (SOMA) has been focusing on election coverage and safety of journalists.
The twenty journalists have been awarded with certificates of attendance after completing the four – day Safety Training Workshop conducted in Jowhar City, the capital of Hirshabelle Regional State of Somalia from 18th to 21st January 2021.
The Governor of Middle Shabelle Region, District Commissioner of Jowhar City and State Minister of Information of Hirshabelle State have participated the certificate awarding ceremony.
The training workshop which was held at Safa Hotel in Jowhar city have been participated by twenty journalists mainly editors and reporters from various media outlets working in the key districts of Beleweyne city, Jowhar city and Balad city of Hirshabelle State.
The main purpose of the training workshop was to highlight and improve the protection and professionalism of journalists and the media during the election campaigns in Somalia. improved
The key courses covered during the 4- day training course included Situational Awareness, Civil unrest, Risk Assessment, Vehicle Safety and Travel, Personal and workplace security, Digital Security, Suicide attacks and IEDs, Security forces and the media, Accommodation Safety and Security, Planning, Medical: Trauma First Aid, professional election reporting step by step and Sensitivity related to the election time.
During the training sessions, the participating journalists have pointed out the safety and election coverage training workshop was very significant need at this stage when the country is preparation for elections.
In closing remarks, Ibrahim Ali Nur, Chairman of Middle Shabelle Media Association has appreciated SOMA for conducting the training workshop, which is beneficial for the journalists of the region.
Mohamed Osman Makaraan, Chairman of the Somali Media Association (SOMA) has expressed expectation that the journalists have benefited from the four-day training workshop and appreciated to IMS/FOJO for the valuable support.
“SOMA has contributed much needed efforts in building the capacity of the journalists in Hirshabelle State.” Mohamed Ahmed Kolonbo, State Minister of Information of Hirshabelle State said speaking at the closing ceremony.
Ahmed Meyre Makaraan, Governor of Middle Shabelle Region welcomed the capacity building program for the journalists in Hirshabelle State and highly praised SOMA and IMS/FOJO for the support in implementing the training workshop program.
In conclusion, the certificates of attendance have been distributed to the journalists, and the training program activities conducted by SOMA in partnership with IMS/FOJO have been successfully concluded.