Kismayo, Jubaland, Thursday, June 10, 2021: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) concluded a two–day training workshop for 33 journalists and 3 police officers on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists and public order in Kismayo city, Jubbaland, ahead of the elections in Somalia.

The training held in cooperation with the Finnish Foundation for Media and Development (VIKES) with funding from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland took place from June 8 – 9, 2021, at Hotel Rotana in Kismayo City Jubbaland State.

The main purpose of the training program was to improve the capacity of security forces to defend citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and information by supporting the safety of journalists. The training was also aimed at creating effective professional relationships between the journalists and the police force to achieve a better environment for freedom of expression for all the public.

Muhudin Hassan Husni, Deputy Chairman of FESOJ and Hassan Nur, Director of Radio Kismayo, made the opening remarks. They pointed out that building bridges and cooperation between the journalists and police forces in Jubaland State is crucial to ensure freedom of expression and journalists' safety when the country is heading to elections.

The training focused on freedom of expression, journalist safety, and public order using an engaging and interactive style that featured presentations, analyses, debates, and discussions between them.

Farah Omar Nur, FESOJ’s Secretary-General and Muhudin Hassan Husni facilitating the training highlighted the fact that rights to freedom of expression are guaranteed in Article -19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article -19 of the International Covenant on Civil Rights and Political Rights, to which the Somali government is a signatory.

During the sessions, the journalists and the police officers exchanged experiences and ideas on how the safety of journalists and freedom of expression can be protected intense election environment and how security forces can ensure that journalists can access the information.

The police officers in attendance listened to the journalists’ complaints and challenges faced during elections, demonstrations, and information. The officers pledged to resolve these challenges and work on improving relations with the media.

Furthermore, the journalists indicated the training for both sides provided solutions for the challenges they were experiencing and will pave the way for establishing a new relationship that could lead to correct and address the misunderstanding prevailing between Journalists and police.

In concluding the training, the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has distributed a printed copy of the booklet entitled "Journalist Know Your Rights” to the participating journalists and police officers.

The booklet published by FESOJ in partnership with the Finnish Foundation for media and development (VIKES), the EU Mission in Somalia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland is aimed to raise the awareness and understanding capacity of the Somali journalists concerning their labor rights.

The training program conducted by FESOJ in support of VIKES is part of series of capacity building programs that have been previously conducted at some of the Somali regional states, and FESOJ intends to undertake similar training in the coming months at the cities of other Somali regional states as well.

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