The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has today launched a capacity-building programme designed to equip Somali journalists with the knowledge and practical tools to identify, counter and prevent the spread of disinformation and misinformation. The three-day initiative is taking place in Mogadishu from 25 to 27 October 2025under the theme “Building Information Integrity in Somalia: Empowering Somali Journalists to Counter Disinformation and Misinformation for Quality and Ethical Journalism.”
The initiative, organised by NUSOJ with the support of the Australian Government through the Australian High Commission in Nairobi, which covers Somalia, brings together 32 journalists from Mogadishu and all five Federal Member States. The training seeks to strengthen their professional capacity to promote ethical, accurate and responsible journalism at a time when disinformation and misinformation are rife and continue to threaten public trust and social cohesion.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of NUSOJ, described the training as a timely intervention aimed at safeguarding the integrity of journalism in Somalia. He said that disinformation and misinformation distort facts and pose direct threats to credible journalism, democracy, peace and national stability.
“Disinformation is a serious challenge to journalism, information integrity, social well-being and peace in Somalia. Journalists must have the skills, confidence and ethical grounding to independently identify falsehoods disguised as disinformation and misinformation and protect the truth. This training will empower working journalists to uphold the highest standards of professional integrity while serving the public interest,” said Osman.
He added that NUSOJ’s partnership with the Australian Government reflects a strong and long-term commitment to supporting Somali journalists as they navigate a fast-changing media landscape dominated by digital platforms where false narratives often spread faster than verified facts. He reiterated that the union remains dedicated to building the professional strength, integrity and independence of Somali journalists through continuous learning and solidarity.
Joining the opening virtually from Nairobi, H.E. Jenny Da Rin, Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, whose diplomatic mission also covers Somalia, expressed Australia’s pride in supporting Somali journalists and reaffirmed her country’s commitment to strengthening democratic values through accurate and ethical journalism.
“I am very pleased that we are continuing to support Somali journalism and your professional practice on a topic that matters most to your work today,” said the High Commissioner. “This workshop builds on our partnership with NUSOJ by helping journalists strengthen their ability to identify, counter and prevent the impact of disinformation and misinformation in today’s vast information landscape, where everyone can have a voice and build a following. The spread of false narratives poses real risks to public trust.”
The High Commissioner noted that false information has become a global problem that undermines public health, disrupts elections and weakens democratic institutions. She emphasised that professional journalists play a critical role in ensuring that the public receives reliable, fact-based information. “Somali journalists are no exception. You play a vital role in ensuring your communities have accurate, evidence-based information. Your commitment to ethical, accurate and responsible journalism is essential to realising Somalia’s democratic aspirations,” she said.
Representing the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdinasir Hussein, Acting Director General, speaking on behalf of the Minister, praised NUSOJ and the Australian Government for their continued investment in strengthening Somalia’s media sector. He said the government recognises the importance of empowering journalists with professional skills to promote responsible reporting and public understanding.
“The Ministry welcomes this important step at a critical time for our country. We recognise the significant role journalists play in shaping public understanding, as misinformation and disinformation are already creating serious challenges. We appreciate the partnership between NUSOJ and the Australian Government. By empowering journalists with knowledge and skills, we are collectively strengthening the media’s role in promoting peace, stability, democracy and national unity. Ultimately, both journalists and the government serve the same country,” said Hussein.
The training programme features experienced trainers and media experts who are facilitating highly interactive learning sessions. These focus on practical topics such as fact-checking, digital verification, debunking falsehoods, countering violent extremist narratives and propaganda, ethical journalism in politically sensitive environments, digital safety and engaging audiences to improve media literacy. Participants are also exploring strategies to prevent the unintentional amplification of false content through responsible reporting practices.
Over the three days, journalists from different news media organisations are working collaboratively through group exercises, case studies and reporting simulations to apply the lessons learnt. The training is also strengthening professional networks among Somali journalists, encouraging peer learning and regional cooperation to combat disinformation and misinformation.
This capacity-building initiative forms part of NUSOJ’s broader effort to counter disinformation and misinformation and to promote information integrity across Somalia. It contributes to a series of actions designed to defend press freedom, uphold professional standards and reinforce journalists’ role as defenders of truth and accountability. By investing in the professional growth of journalists, most of whom are young media practitioners, NUSOJ continues to build a strong, ethical and resilient media community that can confront falsehoods with facts and uphold journalism as a cornerstone of democracy.
