MOGADISHU, Somalia, 24 October 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) concluded a three-day journalists’ safety and media freedom training in Jowhar town, Hirshabelle State on Friday 22 October, benefitting over 20 journalists and editors from local media houses.
The training activity is part of an ongoing series of journalists’ trainings supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). So far, over 60 Somali journalists were trained in three different locations across the country.
In his opening remarks on Wednesday, Captain Adan Yarow, the Middle Shabelle police commander, praised SJS role in advocating for journalists’ safety and freedom amid ongoing parliamentary elections. He suggested SJS to initiate a mechanism of cooperation between the police and the media.
“Many of the police officers do not have understanding about press freedom and human rights. Journalists are watchdogs of the government but some officials do not like media oversight role,” Captain Yarow said, “Hirshabelle is conducting elections. Safety of journalists reporting the polling is of great importance. We thank SJS for coming to help local journalists. The police are ready to work with you to improve safety of journalists in Jowhar.”
Journalist and founder of City Radio and TV which is a minority-community media station, Abdishakur Abdullahi Ahmed (popularly known as Shaasha) had acknowledged the significance of the safety training describing as timely one. City radio was raided and its equipment confiscated by Hirshabelle police resulting journalists to flee Jowhar in December 2019.
“Many of the local journalists from marginalised community do not get access to training opportunities. SJS has become the first organisation that dares to accommodate minority journalists even there are many pressures and threats. We are grateful to Canada Fund for the generous support. This opportunity has indeed touched our hearts. We now know that we are part of the diverse people in Jowhar,” he said.
In the beginning of the training SJS insisted the inclusion of the minority journalists into the training activity despite many pressures. Female journalists, who did not have previous training opportunities were also invited.
“I am a long-term serving female reporter in Jowhar. This is one of the few trainings I got. Thanks to the commitment of SJS leadership to ensure that female journalists are given adequate seats in the trainings. I shall share the lessons we have learnt here with my other colleagues,” Hamdi Mohamud Mohamed who reports for the local Radio Jowhar and Horn Cable TV.
In his conclusion remarks on Friday, SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin congratulated the successful completion of the training. He noted that the objective of the training was to improve capacity of the journalists both freelancers and those working for local outlets.
“I am indeed glad for the successful completion of our training. I commend the high representation of journalists from minority communities. We chose to empower them because we believe the rich diverse of Somali journalists can contribute to the good of the nation,” Mr. Mumin added.
“While in Jowhar, I have witnessed first hand of the injustices, economic marginalisation and political exclusion of minority communities in the region at the hands of authorities. This has been the norm for many years. I call civil society groups to help empowering minority people in Jowhar. Training them and given the skills they require is one of ways to empower marginalised communities.” Secretary General Mumin said.
Secretary General Mumin condemned the threats and intimidation by police officers against SJS team in Jowhar during the training. SJS officials including Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin and Training Secretary, Hanad Ali Guled were harassed, interrogated and arrested by the police on the second day of the training. The order of the arrest was given by the Minister of Interior, Mohamed Ali Adle after SJS refused and criticised government officials who demanded payment of bribery.
“This are the actions of corrupt authoritarian states. We know that NGOs here have been forced to pay bribes to government officials, but SJS will not accept these demands. We shall indeed use our good channels in the government and will utilize the rule of law, in order to defend our constitutional right to freedom of expression,” Mr. Mumin added “We call other organisations and civil society groups to follow suit and mitigate against corruption by denying to pay bribes to government officials even if they are powerful ones.”