Press Statement for Immediate Release
SOMA concluded a four – day Safety and Election Coverage Training Workshop for 20 journalists in Baidoa City, Sourth West Regional State
Baidoa City, Saturday , January 16, 2021 – Twenty journalists have received certificates of attendance today after completing a three- day Safety Training Workshop conducted in Baidoa City, Sourth West Regional State of Somalia from 11th to 14th January 2021.
Present at the ceremony for the presentation of certificates to the journalist were Mohamud Mohamed Kheyre, State Minister of South West Presidency, Ilyas Said Qalinle , Minister of Information of South West State , Abukar Albadri, Coordinator IMS/FOJO, Muhudin Hassan Mohamed – Husni, President of South West Journalist Association and Mohamed Osman Makaran, Chairman of Somali Media Association (SOMA),
The training which was held at Ruun Jinaad Hotel in Baidoa City have been participated by twenty journalists mainly from different media stations operational in the districts of Afgoye, Barava,Wanlaweyn, Hudur and Baidao of South West State.
The main aim of the training workshop was to support improving the capacities of media stations in South West State through providing safety and election coverage training for the media journalists.
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 has indicated the safety and election coverage training program was key priority need at this stage the country is passing through. The journalists has also got the opportunity to exchange information and experience achieved during working with the media at their respective areas in South West State.
In closing remarks, Muhudin Hassan Mohamed – Husni, President of South West Journalist Association has appreciated IMS/FOJO and SOMA for conducting the safety and election coverage training in Baidoa city citing the training has been implemented in the region at time when its most needed.
“We are pleased to have completed the training program successfully as planned, and it’s our intention to conduct similar trainings at the other Federal Member States as well.” Mohamed Osman Makaraan, the Chairman of the Somali Media Association (SOM) said.
He also praised the Ministry of Information of South West State, especially the Minister for the warm reception and recognition provided to the participants during the training program.
“The young journalists who have been provided with the opportunity to participate in the training were ready for the capacity building program, and IMS/FOJO is also considering additional trainings for the advantage of other journalists.” Abukar Al Badri, Program Coordinator of IMS/FOJO speaking at the end of the workshop said.
Mohamud Mohamed Kheyre, State Minister of South West Presidency praised SOMA for organizing the training and for bringing in some journalists from other districts , and urged the journalists to apply what they have learned.
Officially closing the training program, Ilyas Said Qalinle , Minister of Information of South West State advised the journalists to make change in the previous system of reporting, and at the same time adopt and practice what they have learned from the workshop.
In conclusion, the journalists were awarded with certificates of attendance, and the SOMA training and program activities in Baidoa city implemented in partnership with IMS/FOJO have been concluded in a stable and conducive environment.
