Baidoa City, South West State , Sunday, 12 December 2021 – Twenty five journalists and six police officers have concluded a two-day training in Baidoa city , South West State of Somalia to promote the capacity of security forces to defend citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information by supporting the safety of journalists.

The training implemented in partnership with the Finnish Foundation for Media and Development (VIKES) with support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has been held from 11th – 12th December 2021 at Horyaal hotel, Baidoa city, South West State.

In the opening remarks, Muhudin Husni, Deputy Chairman of FESOJ indicated the two-day training would focus on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, public order protection and access to information.

"The intension of the training is to ease the constraints that could take place between the journalists and the police during the elections.” Farah Omar Nur, Secretary General of FESOJ said at the opening session.

On his part, Ilyas Ali Nur, Minister of Information of South West State stated that he is pleased to officially open the training jointly participated by the police and journalists. He expected more would be learned from the work of both sectors, and both parties to have future cooperation to overcome the challenges.

During the two–day training sessions, all the participants took through the key topics on how to communicate with the media, operational safety procedures when dealing with the journalists and freedom of expression, how the security forces can ensure the journalists can access the information they need to pass to the public.

Furthermore, the participants have discussed how the journalists and the police could cooperate as even elections are going on in the country.

In his closing remarks, Muhudin Hassan Mohamed Husni , Deputy Chairman of FESOJ has appreciated VIKES and FESOJ for making possible of conducting these significant training programs in the major cities of the country. He also thanked the trainers for facilitating the training program.

Farah Omar Nur, the Secretary General of FESOJ has appreciated the Ministry of Information of South West State and the journalists in Baidoa city who have taken the responsibility of conducting and attending the training program.

Nurto Mohamed Hassan , member of the police officer has pointed out she has benefited much from the training which is the first type to training in which both the police and the journalists have jointly participated.

In addition, Faisal Dhaayow, one of the journalists working in Baidao city pointed out the training has come at the appropriate time and will be benefiting them during the ongoing election in Somalia, especially in South West State.

The 25 journalists participating in the training workshop has been provided with a printed copy of the booklet entitled "Journalist Know Your Rights” that is intended to raise their awareness and understanding of issues relating to their labor rights.

FESOJ has published the booklet in partnership with the Finnish Foundation for media and development (VIKES), the EU Mission in Somalia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

From April to December 2021, FESOJ in partnership with VIKES has been conducting training programs related to freedom of speech, the safety of journalists and maintaining public order for more than 150 members from both the journalists and the police operating at five various areas including Mogadishu, Kismayo city, Dhusamareb city, Beledweyne city and Baidoa city of Somalia.

In the five locations where the training on freedom of expression, safety of journalists and public order was held, the journalists and the police have indicated they have benefited from the training the importance for achieving mutual understanding and cooperation during the elections.

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