| Garowe, April 2026; The Media Association of Puntland (MAP), in collaboration with BBC Media Action and with support from the European Union, successfully convened the Creative Journalism Awards Ceremony in Garowe under the MAP Culture Project—an initiative dedicated to advancing ethical journalism and amplifying narratives that foster peacebuilding and social cohesion across Puntland. Hosted at Martisoor, the ceremony brought together a high-level and diverse audience, including senior government officials, media professionals, civil society leaders, youth representatives, academics, and private sector actors. Beyond celebration, the event served as a strategic platform for dialogue, underscoring the critical role of media in shaping informed, responsible, and cohesive societies. The Creative Journalism Awards were established to champion impactful journalism that drives constructive dialogue, strengthens community resilience, and contributes to sustainable peace. The competition followed a rigorous and transparent process between January and February 2026, attracting seventeen submissions across audio-visual, cartooning, and print categories. Entries were evaluated by an independent panel of media experts against strict criteria—including relevance to peacebuilding, ethical integrity, storytelling excellence, creativity, clarity, and societal impact—ensuring a credible and merit-based selection. |
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| The Chairperson of the Media Association of Puntland, Mohamed Dahir Warsame, opened the ceremony by framing the awards as a defining moment for strengthening professional, ethical, and impactful journalism in Puntland. He noted that the initiative goes beyond recognition, serving as a platform to inspire higher standards of reporting that build trust, promote peace, and reinforce social cohesion within society. In his remarks, he emphasized the deeper responsibility of the media in shaping public understanding and collective progress, stating: “Journalism is not just about telling stories—it is about shaping reality. When done with integrity, it becomes a force that builds peace, strengthens trust, and gives society the truth it needs to move forward.” He also extended warm congratulations to Shareeco Yasin and Leila Ali Abdullahi, commending their outstanding work and well-earned victory after a highly competitive selection process, describing them as a reflection of the creativity, professionalism, and growing excellence within Puntland’s media landscape. Echoing these sentiments, partners underscored the value of collaboration in strengthening the media sector. Joining virtually, Mohamed Gaas, Deputy Country Director of BBC Media Action, commended MAP for successfully organising the awards and recognising impactful work, noting: “This initiative reflects the growing strength of media in Puntland and its role in promoting constructive dialogue and social cohesion.” He also acknowledged Dahabshiil’s co-funding support, highlighting the importance of partnerships in advancing media development. |
| Building on these perspectives, youth representatives delivered a powerful call to action, underscoring the urgency of shaping a media landscape that serves the public good and reflects the aspirations of a new generation. |
| Representing youth voices, Ruun Abdi Kamas, Chair of the Puntland Youth Association Network (PYAN), addressed both the opportunities and challenges within today’s media environment. “Media can transform society for better or worse, and we must confront the misuse of social media that spreads hate for attention and profit,” she said. She further called for collective action to promote responsible media use, while urging the private sector to take a more active role in supporting community-driven and impact-focused initiatives. |
| Government representatives reinforced these messages, highlighting the essential role of media in sustaining Puntland’s stability and inclusive development, with the Minister of Women Development and Family Affairs, Hodan Saed Hassan, attending as the Chief Guest of Honour. Eng. Mohamed Isse, Director General at the Ministry of Information, underscored the positive contribution of the media sector. “If even ten percent of Puntland’s media were promoting negativity, the stability we see today would not exist. The majority of our media is serving the community positively,” he noted, while congratulating the winners and encouraging continued excellence and innovation. |
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| As Chief Guest of Honour, Minister Hodan Saed Hassan emphasised the transformative power of a professional and inclusive media landscape. “A strong and professional media has the power to educate, inform, and unify our communities across different platforms,” she stated, commending MAP’s efforts and calling for greater support to advance women’s participation and representation in and through the media. |
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| A diverse range of stakeholders enriched the dialogue with perspectives on media development, partnerships, and capacity building in Puntland. Mohamed Abdirahman from Dahabshiil stressed the importance of investing in local talent and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting similar initiatives. Abdirahman Abdullahi, Chair of PUNSAA, highlighted the media’s transformative role while cautioning against the spread of harmful and unethical content on social media. From a policy standpoint, Abdulkadir Bootaan, Director General of the Puntland Ministry of Planning, called for sustained efforts to strengthen journalists’ capacity in promoting peace and national development, while Abdirizak Farah of Puntland State University emphasized education as key to professionalizing the sector and encouraged engagement with emerging journalism programmes. The event then transitioned into a celebratory moment, marking the recognition of outstanding achievements in practice. |
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| The ceremony then proceeded to the awards presentation segment, where the winners were formally honoured and presented with their certificates and gifts. Shareeco Yasin Shareeco—seen in the above left-side photo, positioned at the centre—was awarded in the Audio-Visual category for his compelling storytelling and strong peacebuilding message. Meanwhile, Leila Ali Abdullahi (Leila Xiis)—featured in the above right-side photo, also at the centre—was recognised in the Cartoon category for her creative and impactful visual narratives, both reflecting the power of media to inspire positive change and social cohesion. The MAP Awards Ceremony concluded by reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening a professional, ethical, and impactful media sector in Puntland. The event highlighted the role of media in promoting peace, accountability, and social cohesion, while celebrating outstanding creative work by journalists and content creators. Appreciation was extended to all participants and partners, with a call for continued collaboration to advance media development in Somalia. |
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