Jowhar, (SONNA) – A training workshop on media ethics in election reporting was today launched in Jowhar, jointly organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia and the Ministry of Information of HirShabelle State, with support from UNTMIS.
The workshop, which brought together 20 journalists from different media outlets in Jowhar, aims to strengthen journalists’ understanding of professional standards in reporting elections, in line with journalistic ethics and national electoral regulations.
Chairman of the Middle Shabelle Journalists’ Union, Abdirahman Hussein Waddani, praised the initiative, noting that it comes at a critical time as Somalia prepares for upcoming elections.
Speaking at the opening, Director of Federal Member State Relations at the Ministry of Information, Abdirahman Ahmed Hussein, underlined that the training is part of broader efforts to reinforce the role of the media in the electoral process. He added that similar programs have already been conducted in Mogadishu, Baidoa, and Dhusamareb.
Director General of the HirShabelle Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Yasin Ahmed Mahmoud, who officially opened the training, thanked the Federal Ministry for its role in advancing media professionalism and appreciated UNTMIS for supporting the workshop. He urged participants to apply the skills and knowledge gained in their reporting.
This workshop forms part of a national program designed to enhance the capacity of Somali media to play an active role in ensuring transparent and accountable election coverage in line with professional ethics and electoral laws.
