Dhuusamareeb, Somalia – A two-day training on media ethics for the coverage of Somali elections has concluded in Dhuusamareeb, bringing together journalists from across the Galmudug state. The workshop was a collaborative effort between the Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and the Galmudug Ministry of Information, with the central objective of strengthening journalists’ understanding of their crucial role in the nation’s electoral process.
A total of 20 journalists from various media houses in the Galmudug state benefited from the intensive workshop. The training focused on equipping journalists with the necessary skills and a strong ethical compass to ensure their reporting on elections is impartial, accurate, and transparent.
Ruun Mohamud Osman, the Chairwoman of the Galmudug Women Journalists Association, spoke on behalf of the participants, emphasizing the profound importance of the training. She stated that the knowledge gained would enhance the professional skills and sense of responsibility of journalists during election periods. She concluded by urging all journalists to cover elections with the utmost neutrality and fairness, a cornerstone of credible and democratic processes.
Mr. AbdiShakur Ali Ahmed, Director of Media Strategy at the Federal Ministry of Information, noted that the training is a key part of a broader government effort to elevate the professional standards and ethical conduct of Somali journalists. His remarks highlighted that a well-trained and responsible media is essential for ensuring that elections are both transparent and legitimate. He also extended his gratitude to the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) for its vital support in making the training possible.
Similarly, the Director General of the Galmudug Ministry of Information, Mr. Abubakar Nur Mohamud, expressed his sincere thanks to the Federal Ministry of Information and its partners for their dedicated work in improving the quality of journalism in the region. He encouraged the participating journalists to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice to fulfill their essential role in election coverage.
This workshop is the third of its kind to be held in Somalia and is a crucial part of an ongoing program led by the Ministry of Information of Somalia to fortify the media’s role in the nation’s electoral landscape. The initiative seeks to build a media environment capable of responsibly and effectively informing the public, thereby fostering a more robust and democratic society.
