Mogadishu, Thursday August 1, 2019: in partnership with IMS/FOJO, The Somali Media Association (SOMA) has organized and commenced today the first day of two-day Annual Executive Committee meeting at Mubarak Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The meeting has been participated by SOMA Executive Committee Member delegates from Mogadishu, Banadir region, Puntland, South West, Jubbaland, Hirshabelle and Galmudug states .
The meeting which will be in progress for two days will discuss the achievements, constraints, the content sharing program which is transmitted throughout SOMA media stations, the safety and the development of the journalists’ profession.
Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Chairperson of the Somali Media Association (SOMA) in his opening remarks has briefly reported the progress made by the media stations united under the Somali Media Association (SOMA) , the capacity building of the journalists in respect of the skills and safety protection.
On his part, Mohamed Abduwahab, the SOMA Secretary General has spoken about the tangible progress achieved by the Somalia Media Association (SOMA) in the past years, the significant meetings that he has attended, the planned programs and the way forward.
Ahmed Mohamed Ali (Caano-Geel), head of the SOMA advocacy; and the Director of the Radio Voice of Peace in Galkacyo, Puntland and Hanad Abdi Farah, Director of Radio Voice of Mudug, Galkacyo, Galmudug has both pointed out how they have cooperated in promoting peace in the areas.
They have mentioned how their radio stations have been part and worked with the committee of regional level to improve peace awareness raising programs and edit any news and radio program that could escalate the conflicts. They said these efforts defused tensions and improved the process of peace and reconciliation efforts.
Hilaal Sheikh Shuceyb, Director of Radio Warsan in Baidoa, South West State has made presentation on the overall level of the media services achieved in the South West Regional State. He also mentioned the challenges the media has experienced during the election process in South West State.
During the meeting, the members of SOMA Executive Committee has also discussed and expressed great concern over the emerging increased divided number of media workers’ unions and pointed out are not working towards achieving the best interest of the Somali media workers.
The SOMA Executive Committee meeting has appealed to all the emerging media workers’ unions to unite their efforts to strengthen on how to promote the development of the Somali media workers.
