Garowe, Puntland, Somalia 13 September 2015:- The Media Association of Puntland (MAP) in partnership with Relief International is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of Technical Media Training aimed at improving capacity of journalists for 20 media workers drawn from various media outlets across Puntland regions at regional state capital, Garowe on Sunday 13th September 2015.
The month-long training funded by the European Union through the Relief International in partnership with Media Association of Puntland and held at Media Training Centre in Puntland state university focused on the investigative journalism, photography and video production.
During his opening remarks, Hassan Isse, a Relief International Country Operation Manager who highlighted the importance of such training for journalists, and also pledges that Relief International is committed in supporting the Somali media, particularly Puntland. “More than three hundred Somali journalists have so far benefited from this project since 2012 and we are hopeful of having more of its kind in the future”, notes Isse.
MAP chairman Faisal Khalif urged trained journalists to submit the knowledge they have gained from the training sessions to their fellow journalists who have not been able to attend such training.
“To me, it was an advantageous training for me; I completely studied so many issues which I need now to apply to my work.” Saido Abdi, 22 years-old female journalist said. “I want to thank MAP and Relief for this training, they have shown a great sense of commitment on enhancing Puntland media industry”, noted Abdi
In his official closing remarks of the ceremony, Puntland Information Minister Mohamud Hassan So’ade praised journalists for showing patience throughout the training; he on the other hand expressed his optimism on concerns by the media bloc on media and vows working on reforms to the current media law.
The minister presented certificates awarded to the trained journalists who completed one month course on investigative journalism, photography and video production.
This training has been a follow up to the TOT training which took place in Kenyan capital Nairobi late 2014. Outcomes of the TOT trainings have been successful and produced well-skilled facilitators.
