| Garowe, Puntland Somalia | 28 August 2026: The Media Association of Puntland (MAP), in partnership with International Media Support (IMS), has concluded a three-day capacity-building training for 20 journalists from Puntland and Galmudug, aimed at strengthening peace journalism, conflict-sensitive reporting, media safety, and collaborative reporting. Held from 26 to 28 August 2026, the training formed part of MAP and IMS’s continued efforts to strengthen responsible and professional media engagement in Galkayo and promote journalism that contributes to informed public discourse, dialogue, trust, and peaceful coexistence.  A key focus of the training was strengthening professional cooperation between journalists from Puntland and Galmudug, particularly through team reporting and joint content production. Participants explored how working across media outlets can bring together different perspectives, improve information verification, encourage more balanced coverage, and help challenge misinformation and harmful narratives. The sessions also examined examples of media contributing to peaceful coexistence and identified positive stories and local issues that could be reported to promote peace and social cohesion in Galkayo. Over three days, participants explored practical challenges affecting media and communities in Galkayo through discussions, case studies, and group exercises. Key topics included peace journalism, conflict-sensitive and ethical reporting, misinformation and disinformation, hate speech prevention, implementation of the Media Peace Charter, and strengthening collaboration between media and civil society. Discussions highlighted how the flow of information can either contribute to tensions or promote understanding, depending on the accuracy, context, and responsibility behind reporting. The training used a practical and participatory approach, combining presentations, plenary discussions, group work, scenario-based exercises, media-content analysis, and group presentations. Participants examined practical reporting situations, discussed how journalists can avoid becoming part of conflicts they cover, and considered ways to communicate responsibly when reporting on sensitive issues, opinion-makers, political actors, and community developments. The programme also addressed hate-speech prevention and media safety, equipping journalists with practical approaches to avoid harmful narratives and manage physical, digital, and psychosocial risks. Participants also explored the practical application of the Media Peace Charter and the development of peace-oriented media content. The training built on MAP’s earlier Media–CSO dialogue in Galkayo by translating broader discussions into practical journalism skills, with a focus on responsible, conflict-sensitive, and peace-oriented reporting. MAP expects participants to apply the skills gained through continued professional exchange, collaborative reporting, and peace-oriented content, while maintaining their editorial independence and professional standards. Speaking on the importance of the initiative, the MAP Chairperson Mohamed Dahir Warsame underlined: “Journalists have a responsibility to report independently and accurately, while also highlighting the shared concerns that connect Galkayo’s communities. By verifying information, reflecting diverse perspectives, and working together where possible, journalists can challenge harmful narratives, improve public understanding, and contribute to a more peaceful Galkaio.” The training marks a further step in MAP’s continued engagement with journalists in Galkayo, supporting professional cooperation and responsible journalism that contributes to dialogue, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. END TRAININGS PHOTOS                     |
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