By: Latifa Yusuf Masai
Somalilandsun- In pursuit of ensuring citizens are availed factual reports during the just started presidential election campaign and aftermath, locals journalists are receiving various skills based training.
In this regard the Somaliland journalist association-SOLJA has completed a two days journalists capacity building training in Hargeisa under funding from Free Press in which participants were pooled from all media houses including TV, Radio, Newspapers and web based.
In his opening remarks at the SOLJA executive director Yahye Mohamed Abdi Madar said that the workshop that targets journalists who have not benefitted from prior trainings has the sole intent of enhancing basic reporting skills.
“More so we hereby have purpose of ensuring that you undertake your duties endowed with apt skills especially as relates to media conduct during elections as well as ultimate knowledge of ethics” said the SOLJA executive director adding that within the two days of training participants shall be imparted with knowledge regarding
• Basic journalism skills
• International human rights instruments regulating freedom of expression and independent media and
• Freedom of expression and media in Somaliland context in particular the constitution and press law.
According to the training facilitator Abdihakim Mohamed Plenary sessions as well as group work revolved around discussions on loopholes and Application of Somaliland press laws, media impartiality and challenges on implementing the Somaliland media law.
Closing the two days training was the SOLJA chairperson Mahmud Abdi Jama “Huto” who congratulated participants upon acquiring new skills while urging them to integrate them in their day to day work.
Thanking Free Press for making the capacity building training possible Mr Huto said continue partnership with the international organization has played a greast role in enhancing professional media conduct in Somaliland
