Mogadishu (SONNA) — The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Daud Aweis Jama, has officially opened a two-day workshop aimed at strengthening journalists’ capacity to prevent hate speech during election reporting.
The workshop brings together more than 35 journalists from 21 media outlets operating in Mogadishu, focusing on promoting responsible, accurate, and balanced coverage throughout the electoral process.
The training is designed to enhance journalists’ understanding of their role in countering hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation that could undermine public trust and social stability during elections.
Addressing participants, Minister Daud emphasized the critical role of the media in safeguarding peaceful elections and fostering public confidence.
“The media plays a crucial role in raising public awareness and protecting the integrity of electoral information. Journalists must ensure their reporting is accurate, balanced, and guided by professional responsibility to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process,” he said.
He also urged journalists to promote peace-oriented narratives and ensure fair coverage of all political stakeholders, warning against content that could incite division or tension.
The workshop, supported by the United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), includes sessions on the national electoral system, fact-checking, information integrity, and strategies to prevent hate speech in media reporting.
The Ministry of Information reaffirmed its commitment to continuing capacity-building initiatives to enhance journalistic skills and promote media ethics, in support of credible, peaceful, and transparent elections.
