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MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and BBC Media Action, has launched a training programme yesrerday, Sunday, aimed at strengthening Somali journalists’ capacity for conflict-sensitive reporting and improving the accuracy and responsibility of their reporting, thereby supporting the dissemination of reliable information and contributing to peacebuilding.
The programme’s first phase brings together 20 journalists from the Banaadir region for a four-day training course, while a second phase was designated for 20 journalists from Hirshabelle State and was scheduled to take place from 11 to 14 October. The programme was launched by Abdullahi Hayir Duale, Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, as part of efforts to improve professional practices in reporting on conflict-related issues.
The programme focuses on information verification, addressing disinformation and misinformation, adherence to professional ethics, understanding the contexts and dynamics of conflicts, and the role of the media in peacebuilding. Participants are also receiving training in the use of the UNDP Somalia Conflict Navigator, a tool intended to help them understand conflict environments and prepare accurate and responsible reports.
Duale emphasised the importance of media outlets providing the public with accurate and responsible information, particularly during conflicts and sensitive situations. Abdulqadir Ali, Director General of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, highlighted the influence of information conveyed by journalists on how events are understood and how communities respond to them. Meanwhile, Christophoros Politis, UNDP Somalia’s Resident Representative, stressed the importance of independent, accurate and responsible media in strengthening public trust.
The programme’s importance lies in the role that responsible journalism plays in helping communities understand conflicts and address their consequences on the basis of reliable information. However, sustaining the impact of training requires not only the development of professional skills but also a safe environment for journalistic work, respect for press freedom and the independence of media organisations, and stronger accountability for violations targeting journalists. Combining professional training with the protection of media workers remains fundamental to reinforcing journalism’s role in serving communities and supporting peacebuilding efforts.
