JOWHAR- Somali Women Journalists Organization in collaboration with International Media Support today concluded a three-day workshop in form of round table discussions for 25 journalists in Jowhar town, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle state.
The workshop that was part of series of trainings for local journalists was aimed to listen to and record the views and concerns of the journalists on the new media law that was signed into law by the president.
The participants had lengthy debates and discussions on the provisions of the law and raised a number of articles and paragraphs that they believed violate the freedom of expression and hence criminalize the work of journalists.
The journalists urged the new government to review the restrictive media law, raising hopes that it will create a better environment for journalists and free expression in the country.
Abdikarim Omar Moalim, the director of Hirshabelle ministry of information who attended the opening ceremony of the workshop praised Somali Women Journalists Organization for raising the awareness of the journalists on the media law and granting them an opportunity and a platform to contribute their views on the law.
“This is an important workshop that will help the men and women in media have deep thoughts on the new media law that govern their actions and journalistic work, so this is the right time you [ the journalists] understand well the provisions of the law and raise your views. I thank SWJO and IMS-FOJO for the organisation of this valuable workshop” said Abdikarim.
Maryan Abdi, SWJO’s representative in Hirshabelle state who closed the workshop thanked the attendees for the active participation of the workshop.
“We appreciate the active participation of the journalists on the workshop that was aimed to collect the views of the journalists on the media law. The outcomes will be incorporated into the amendment of the law. SWJO is committed to present the views and concerns of the journalists so that it can be addressed amicably” said Maryan.
The workshop ended while the participants have good understanding on all the articles of the media law particularly the ones that affects their rights and restrict their freedom, gender perspectives and journalistic work.
Similar workshops will be held in Baidoa and Dhusa-mareeb, the seats of Southwest and Galmudug federal member states.
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