The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) of Somalia, in collaboration with the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), today concluded a two-day training workshop in Mogadishu on ethical and professional election reporting, attended by nearly 100 journalists.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director General of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Abdullahi Khayr Ducaale, reminded Somali journalists of the major responsibility ahead of them as the country prepares to hold direct, one-person-one-vote elections after a long period. He noted that the last time Somalia held such elections, the country did not even have television stations, underscoring the historic significance of the upcoming polls. He urged the trained journalists to carry out their professional duties with integrity, accuracy, and responsibility.
The Chairperson of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Mr. Abdirahman Ahmed Hassan, also addressed the closing session, stating that the training forms part of the legal framework and procedures governing national elections. He pledged that the Electoral Commission would continue to support Somali journalists in fulfilling their national duty during the election process.
The training aimed to strengthen journalists’ understanding of ethical standards, professionalism, and responsibility in reporting elections, contributing to transparent, credible, and peaceful electoral processes across the country.
