With UN support, the Media Association of Puntland and the Puntland Ministry of Information trained 81 journalists.

Published: September 19, 2023


The Media Association of Puntland (MAP) and the Puntland Ministry of Information, Telecommunications, Technology, Tourism, Culture and Heritage (MOITTCH) have recently completed a series of media trainings on the effective use of digital media.

81 journalists, half of whom were female, took part in a 12-day training programme in the Puntland cities of Garowe, Bosaso, and Galkayo in August and September 2023.

“You’ve been invited to this training in order to enhance your professional media skills. In recent years, there has been a notable shift in the functioning of the media, necessitating that media workers remain cognizant of this significant change to prevent being left behind” Mohamed Dahir, the chairperson for the Media Association of Puntland (MAP) said.

The MAP chair said that journalists should reflect upon the means via which media reports can be effectively disseminated. Consequently, it is imperative for journalists to stay informed about the latest advancements in technology and the functioning of contemporary media platforms. This statement was made at the inaugural session of a training event conducted in Galkayo.

Speaking at the event’s start, the Director General of the Puntland Ministry of Information, Mohamed Isse Osman, emphasized that the ministry, in collaboration with MAP, has been and will continue to support Puntland journalists in developing their professional media capacity; therefore, every journalist would not get the same opportunities you have today; therefore, take lessons enthusiastically and professionally, and impart what you have learned to others.

I would like to thank the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) for its continued support for Somali journalists and Puntland journalists in particular, and I would also like to encourage journalists to take part in training sessions. We anticipate such cooperation from the UN in the future, but journalists should not squander the resources and energy expended during training days. According to Mr. Mohamed Isse, Director General of the Ministry of Information.

These media trainings were developed after the Ministry of Information and MAP conducted a collaborative assessment of journalists’ requirements and chose this topic based on their findings.