A group of Somali journalists from television, radio and print media attended a three-day workshop on reporting and monitoring of hate speech and human rights violations during 2021 elections concluded in Mogadishu on Tuesday.
30 Participants, including 15 women, who represent various media outlets that broadcast/publish from both inside and outside Somalia reached a set of recommendations related to the need for defining hate speech and ways to address it by adhering to the ethical principles of journalism.
The training attendees underlined the need of raising awareness of the risks and consequences of hate speech, disinformation and incitement. They recommended to have suitable legislations and mechanisms in place for monitoring online and offline unsuitable content, relating to provocation, hate speech and incitements.
The participants of the workshop facilitated by Somali Women Journalists Organization with support from United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) were taken through important topics including human rights responses to hate speech, elements of hate speech, the legal frameworks that help combat hate speech, media as an election watchdog, media role in election reporting, Election violations, what to monitor in election reporting and managing election coverage among others.
During the closing session, the deputy chairperson of Somali Women Journalists Organization, Nasrin Mohamed Ibrahim highlighted the importance of working together to combat hate speech due to the overwhelming impacts it poses to the peace and stability of the region.
“In the recent years we have witnessed an upsurge of hate speech, propaganda and fake news which had grave implications on our lives by attacking and crushing the inclusion, social cohesion and our shared values. So, it our responsibilities as journalists to fight this vice before it compromises the stability and fulfilment of human rights for all” said Nasrin.
Aniso Abdiaziz Hussein, a female journalist among the trainees stated that the journalists gained valuable skills and understanding that will help them combat hate speech, provocation and fake news during election reporting.
Hussein promised to impart the knowledge she gained to the fellow journalists in the field who did not get the opportunity to attend the workshop.
While echoing the sentiments of Aniso, another trainee, Mahad Mohamud Hassan, described the training as an important skill-building that will support perform their duties professionally.
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