| Garowe, Puntland | 29 July 2026: As part of its efforts to advance media professionalism, the Media Association of Puntland (MAP) organized a three-day training on Digital Newsroom Transformation: Mobile Journalism (MoJo) and Social Media Production, equipping journalists with practical skills to thrive in today’s digital news environment. Opening the training, MAP Chairperson Mohamed Dahir emphasized that journalism is undergoing profound transformation and that media professionals must continuously adapt to remain relevant while safeguarding the core values of the profession. |
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| “The way people access and consume news has changed dramatically. Social media and digital platforms are reshaping the information landscape, creating both new opportunities and new challenges for journalists. To remain relevant and trusted, media professionals must embrace innovation while upholding the highest standards of accuracy, ethics and public service. Through this training, MAP is investing in journalists who are better equipped to navigate the digital age and deliver credible journalism that serves our communities.” Chair Mohamed Dahir, photo above at the training in Garowe. Held from 26–28 July 2026 in Garowe, the training was organized by MAP with support from the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS). It brought together journalists, editors, media practitioners and digital content creators from across Puntland to strengthen their digital reporting skills and enhance their understanding of modern newsroom practices. As audiences increasingly rely on digital and social media platforms for information, traditional newsrooms face growing pressure to adapt to changing patterns of news production and consumption. The training responded to this shift by combining practical learning with interactive discussions on mobile journalism, digital storytelling, social media content production, fact-checking, verification and ethical reporting. The programme was designed to help journalists confidently embrace new technologies while maintaining the credibility and professionalism that distinguish quality journalism. For participants, the programme offered more than technical knowledge—it provided practical insights into the evolving role of journalists in an increasingly digital world and created opportunities to exchange experiences with colleagues from different media organizations. |
| Speaking during one of the event’s sessions, Abdulkadir Osman, Communications Expert with the Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Group (SCPAG) at UNTMIS, highlighted the longstanding support UNTMIS has provided to the MAP and the wider media sector. |
| He reflected on UNTMIS’s role in supporting MAP’s advocacy efforts during major reviews on media related laws, standing alongside the association in defending journalists’ rights and press freedom, and contributing to numerous capacity-building initiatives that have strengthened the skills and professionalism of journalists across Puntland. |
| The training forms part of MAP’s broader efforts to strengthen independent and professional journalism by supporting the continuous development of media practitioners and promoting innovation in the sector. By investing in journalists’ digital capacities, MAP aims to ensure that Puntland’s media remains responsive to changing audience needs while continuing to provide accurate, ethical and public-interest journalism. MAP expresses its deep appreciation to the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) for its consistent support to the growth of Puntland’s media sector. The mission’s contributions to legal reform efforts, its support for press freedom advocacy, and its investment in strengthening the knowledge and skills of journalists have made a meaningful contribution to promoting a more professional, independent, and resilient media landscape in Puntland. END |
