US Mission trains local journalists in Somalia

The US government has offered to help Somali media and journalists improve their skills in an environment where press freedom is usually a challenge.

The US Mission in Mogadishu and the National Union of Somali Journalists, the local press lobby, held a series of sessions for male and female journalists as part of a programme to help them counter disinformation and promote quality, ethical reporting and free access to information.

The capacity-building course, themed "Promoting quality journalism and unfettered access to information as key enablers for countering disinformation in Somalia", supported NUSOJ in a series of capacity-building sessions which started in Mogadishu from November 22 to 24  2023, in Garowe from January 14 to 16, 2024 and ended in Baidoa from January 16 to 18 2024, benefiting a total of 101 journalists, including 44 women journalists.

The majority of the beneficiaries, 86 percent, are young journalists at the beginning of their careers.

During the training sessions, experienced journalists taught essential topics such as the qualities of a good journalist, accountability, combating disinformation and misinformation, and professional reporting techniques.

Other key topics included the principles of investigative journalism, critical thinking, access to information, fact-checking, legal protection for journalists, the nature of public interest journalism, verification of visual content and collaborative efforts to combat fake news.

NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman said: "Thanks to our partnership with the US Embassy in Mogadishu, we've made significant progress in combating disinformation and harmful narratives. We've promoted journalism that is professional, responsible, independent and committed to presenting the facts for the benefit of the public".

"The journalists who participated in these trainings are now equipped to combat disinformation and fake news, and to promote trustworthy journalism that greatly benefits our nation," he added.

The targeted journalists have acquired new skills and increased their knowledge, thereby strengthening their ability to produce trustworthy news. 

They have also been made more aware of the harmful effects of disinformation on society and the professional integrity of journalists. 

These journalists have demonstrated a renewed commitment to honesty and accountability in their reporting, as they are now better equipped to verify information accurately, thereby safeguarding their right to report freely and responsibly," it was reported on Thursday.

Osman added: "Quality journalism is our shield against disinformation, as it shines the light of truth through its unwavering commitment to facts, accuracy and accountability in an age of falsehoods".

Last but not least, NUSOJ's commitment to strengthening a free, professional and thriving media environment in Somalia through partnerships like the one with the US Embassy has not only raised the bar for credible journalism, but also empowered Somali journalists to lead the charge against disinformation, misinformation and fake news, thereby promoting professional excellence.

Somalia's journalists have often been seen as working in one of the most dangerous places on the continent, with both terror merchants and disgruntled government officials posing a threat to free media. But more recently, online threats such as fake news and trolling have also become common threats to accurate reporting.