MOGADISHU, Somalia , Monday,13 February 2023: The Somali Media Association (SOMA) is
marking the International World Radio Day and the 10 th anniversary of the establishment of the
SOMA association at Hotel Sahafi, Mogadishu, Somalia.
The Somali Media Association (SOMA) has organized the World Radio Day event in close
cooperation with the Somali Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists (SMSJ)
The main UNESCO theme of the World Radio Day 2023 is 'Radio and Peace’ to focus on the
role of radio as an independent medium of peace making.
The key purpose of commemorating the World Radio Day celebrated all over the world on
February 13 annually is to highlight radio role in conflict prevention and peace building and
support to independent radio.
The world radio event was proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO, and adopted
by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day; February 13 became
World Radio Day.
The SOMA Association has more than 31 media houses members operational across Somalia
including Mogadishu, Baidoa, Beletweyne, Adado, Abudwaq, Dhuusamareeb, Guriel, Galkacyo,
Jowhar, Kismayo and Garowe.
The event is coinciding with 10 th anniversary when the Somali Media Association (SOMA) has
been established by a group of media managers in Somalia as Network 2013 in Kampala on 13
February 2013 by 13 radio stations across Somalia by signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) and development of a Constitution. However, during its General
Assembly held in May 2016, the name of Network 2013 has been changed to the Somali Media
Association (SOMA).
In his opening remarks, Mohamed Osman Makaran, Secretary General of SOMA has
congratulated SOMA as SMSJ member for simultaneously marking the two events , the World
Radio Day -13 February 2023, and the 10 th anniversary when SOMA was established 13
February 2013. He pointed out that radio is the primary media of Somalia in respect to how the
public receive information in the urban and rural areas.
Farah Omar Nur ,Secretary General of FESOJ and Chairman of SMSJ on his part commended
SOMA with 31 media house members for producing better quality media content programs, he
added given to this year’s UNSECO Theme ‘Radio and Peace ‘the radio is significant platform
for the Somali public working on promoting peace. He added the radio is prohibited from inciting violence.
Hanad Ali Guled , speaking on behalf of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) pointed out
that he is pleased to take part in marking the World Radio Day event because he has grown up
with the media work when he was joining the professional media.
“The media experience challenges and pressure when seeking to access information for
transmitting to the public. We request the Somali government to respect the media regulations
and facilitate the media to easily access information independently and end the pressure against
the media and journalists working towards achieving coexistence and peace for the community.”
Mohamed Abduwahab, Director of Radio Risaala said on his part.
On the occasion of marking these two events, Mohamed Osman Makaran ,Secretary General of
SOMA presented some of the association’s achievements in the past years which includes
conducting its General Assembly Meeting set out for every three years to discusses the
achievements, the challenges, approves key decisions and makes plan of action for future
development. He pointed out the association has also Executive Committee member that meets
annually to manage and implement main activities, the last SOMA Executive Committee
Meeting was held on December 2022.
He added the key programs the SOMA has successfully implemented were production and
broadcasting quality media content sharing program, advocacy campaigns for protecting the
independent media houses and journalist operating in Somalia, expressing concern over the press
violations and urging the authorities to release the detained journalist and protect the rights of the
journalists and the media houses.
He continued the association has also implemented capacity-building programs focusing on
safety and professional skills for all journalists working at the media member radio stations
across the Federal Member States in Somalia.
The Secretary General of SOMA said that he would like to take this opportunity to express
special appreciation to IMS/FOJO and other donors for their valuable support in promoting the
capacity and safety of the Somali journalists and media houses and undertaking the advocacy and
lobbying campaigns programs.
In conclusion, Mohamed Osman Makaran , Secretary General of SOMA has sent pleasant
congratulation to all the Somali radio stations celebrating the valuable World Radio Day.
End