Sunday 1 Dec 2024 {HMC} Twenty Somali journalists and members from environmental CSOs have jointly went through 2- day training on improving reporting on environmental issues, climate change, natural disasters and their social impacts in Baidoa city, South West State.
The twenty key participants attending the 2- day training program held at Haldoor Hotel from 27th to 28th November 2024 were journalists and members of the environmental CSOs.
The journalists and members from the environmental CSOs were imparted with an understanding of the special purpose for building better understanding and cooperation for campaigning on environmental issues sharing information, and producing media content about climate change, natural disasters and mitigation measures.
The training will also support build better working relationships between Somali media practitioners and environmental CSOs and stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, Dini Abdinur Mohamed, the Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of the South West State, provided the participants a brief report on the recent conference held in Azerbaijan on environmental issues and climate change.
“The governments and international organizations are standing to play a major role in the effort to educate the public on how to prevent environmental issues and we appreciate FESOJ for conducting the training.” The Minister noted.
On his part, Omar Mustafa Nur, the Director General of the Ministry of Information pointed out the South West State journalists have priority need for this type of training focusing on reporting on the environment and climate change.
In addition, Abshir Ali Hassan, Director of Local Municipality in Baidoa district has commended the journalists and CSO to be trained in the skills of reporting environmental issues.
Farah Omar Nur, the Secretary General emphasized that the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) will continue conducting this type of training, which have been previously implemented at various regional states in Somalia, most recently in Dhuusamareeb city, Galmudug State on October 2024.
Furthermore, Ahmed Mohamed Ali (Sharif), senior media trainer and Head of the Training Department of FESOJ said: “The training is significant to improve understanding the environmental issues and strengthen networking between the journalists and environmental CSOs to raising public awareness and campaigning for lessening its social impacts’”
During the 2 – day training sessions, the participants were taken through the thematic topics: –
Training Environmental Reporting, what is the environment, what is climate change, causes of climate change, Climate Change Impacts, Discussion on: Solutions for climate change, Discussion on: What do you know about the current media’s role in environmental reporting and Discussion on ethical reporting and Environmental issues.
Shukri Mohamed Ali, female journalists from the South West State Media stated to have benefited from the training program and learned topics describing about climate change and its causes. “The journalists have acquired knowledge on how to report on environmental issues, natural disasters and its impact.”
“During the training sessions, we received explanation relating with climate change, global warning, role of journalists in reporting environmental issues and appreciate FESOJ for the opportunity.” Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, journalist with Radio Arlaadii, Baidoa city, South West Stare mentioned.
He stated the training was interesting focusing on discussion of environmental issues and how to prevent its impact and how to report through the media for public interest and awareness.
The training workshop for improving reporting environmental issues, climate change, natural disasters and their social impacts is part of a series of capacity-building program activities funded by the EU, supported by Free Press Unlimited (FPU) and implemented by FESOJ in cooperation with VIKES.
