Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle journalists undergo training on peace and reconciliation
Thirty-seven journalists from the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions of Somalia completed a two-day training this week on promoting peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
The workshop organized by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) also covered other topics such as journalists’ personal safety, crisis communications and reporting on the ongoing political process in Somalia.
The workshop, held in Belet Weyne town in Hiiraan, equipped participants with knowledge and skills on how to balance their role as journalists while, at the same time, promoting reconciliation in the communities.
Yusuf Ahmed Hagar, the Governor of Hiiraan region, hailed UNSOM for training journalists and called on the participants to be fair and objective in their reporting on Somalia. “We request that you take advantage of this training and appreciate what the organizers have taught you and apply the knowledge that you have acquired”, he stated.
Faisa Hassan Ali, one of the journalists attending the event, spoke about her learning opportunity. “I have learned a lot and I am grateful for the knowledge. It’s my first time to attend this kind of workshop and I request the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia to organize more such workshops and give opportunity to other journalists”, she said.
Mohamed Abdi Saney, a journalist from Hiiraan region, concurred, saying he had learned about story selection and fact-checking. “One has to check the importance of the story and ensure balance and minimize conflict when reporting about clan issues. Also, journalists have a role to play in promoting peace building reconciliation,” he added.
The workshop is part of a series of training programs organized by UNSOM to provide to Somali journalists the necessary skills to educate and inform the public on the fundamental issues in Somalia.