Press Release

The Somali Media Association (SOMA) has concluded today a three –day capacity building training program for reporters on production of quality radio content sharing program.

The training promoting the capacity of journalists in producing quality radio content sharing program to be shared among SOMA member media houses operational across all the regions and Mogadishu has been conducted from 18th to 20th October 2021 has been held at Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The 3 – day training has been implemented by SOMA in partnership with IMS/FOJO in close coordination with Radio Ergo.

The capacity-building program has provided the journalists an opportunity to learn the basic journalism skills focusing on producing quality radio content sharing program, 

which is the main link serving sharing of information and programs services between SOMA media houses and the connection of community awareness raising programs especially on the current issue prevailing in the country.

In his opening remarks, Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary General of SOMA has welcomed the participating reporters, and highlighted the significance of the training program to improve the professional capacities of the reporters in producing quality radio content programs to be shared among SOMA member media stations across Somalia.

He has also appreciated IMS/FOJO for supporting the efforts to improve the capacity of the journalists and their protection.

Abdifatah Moalim Nur, Director of Radio Hiddo speaking at the opening session urged the participating journalists to take advantage of the training program facilitated by experienced media trainers, and improve the quality of the content sharing program that is transmitting valuable social issues and messages for the community in different regions of the country.

On his part, Farah Omar Nur, media trainer said "The training will further strength cooperation between the reporters in producing quality content sharing program that will serve the interest of the audiences.”

Ahmed Esse Gutaale , media trainer has also indicated the reporters are required to be skilled and knowledgeable to well -inform the community.

Abdalle Mumin , Chairperson of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has advised the trainees to gain skills to improve the quality of the content sharing program , and encourage increased female journalists to be part of the reporters to be further empowered.

The training workshop was aimed to train twenty-four reporters from twelve media houses across Somalia that were assigned to produce the content sharing program regularly.

The reporters were provided with technical training related with how to produce valuable program and orientation related to the objectives of the program in order to improve their understanding of the program eventual purposes.

The participating journalists were taken through themes that included to introduction to the significance of the contents sharing program , broadcasting journalism, introduction to interview, interview techniques, elements of radio production, introduction to radio feature story, radio script writing and SOMA Production values.

In conclusion, Mohamed Osman Makaran, SOMA Secretary General in his closing remarks mentioned " I urge the participants to share the lessons , especially the radio script writing skills you have learned with your colleagues to eventually produce accurate and reliable radio content sharing for community interest.”

On his part, Qadar Mohamed Sirad from Radio Markablay in Bardere city pointed out the training will further improve the capacity of reporters to produce quality radio content sharing program.

In addition, Fartun Abdirahman Dini, from Radio Hayan, Galkacyo city said: "The training has provided me good understanding that cooperation between the reporters across Somalia is essential to produce and broadcast shared quality radio program on the current social issues for public interest.”

" I have learned how to write radio script and practical techniques to take interview for broadcasting.” Hafsa Khalif Hirsi, female journalist from Radio Dhuusamareeb said.

The training workshop was part of series of program initiatives supported by IMS/FOJO, implemented by SOMA to improve the protection of journalists, and building the capacity of journalists and media in Somalia through advocacy, training and technical support