Mogadishu, Friday, December 9, 2022: The Somali Media Association (SOMA) has organized and conducted a two- day Annual Executive Committee meeting at Mubarak Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia. from the 7 th to 8 th December 2022.
The annual meeting has been participated by SOMA Executive Committee Member delegates from Mogadishu, Banadir region, South West, Jubbaland, Hirshabelle and Galmudug states.
Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary General of the Somali Media Association (SOMA) in his opening remarks has briefly stated the meeting is important for sharing and discussing the key issues for the association and the way- forward.
On his part, Hilal Sheikh Shueeb, the Chairperson of SOMA pointed out in his opening speech the annual meeting of the SOMA Executive Committee is to share information on the past achievements and focus on the priority plan for the next year 2023.
The meeting which was in progress for two days has discussed the main agenda dealing with the performances of last year, presentation of the regional priorities for 2023, presentation of the achievement, challenges and further improving the Contents Sharing Program and the contribution for SOMA in 2022.
During the two-day meeting, the SOMA Executive Committee members has stated teach media house member in the regions is required to submit their status and priority needs.
The need to undertake panel discussion for the participated by the media, police, the judiciary and the civil society to cooperate in promoting freedom of expression, press freedom, access to information and safety of the media and journalists both in Mogadishu and at regional level has been raised during the meeting.
The need to building the capacity of journalists in digital media, humanitarian and climate change reporting has also been suggested Furthermore, the need to get solar system to generate power for the media statins’ operation on low cost to address the soaring up electricity prices has bene mentioned during the discourse of the gathering. Some media houses are at the brink to close down as result of the unaffordable cost for the electricity.
In addition, the SOMA Executive Committee meeting has discussed the abuses against the human rights, the media and journalists mostly from the regional authorities, security agencies, the Federal government of Somalia, anti-government groups and anyone committing acts against the law. In conclusion, the meeting has issued the following points: –
| 1. | To enhance the skills and the knowledge of SOMA media houses journalists. |
| 2. | To jointly cooperate in promoting the Somali media, especially those united under the Somalia Media Association (SOMA) On the other hand, the SOMA Executive Committee members have condemned the abuse and detention of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) members in Baidoa city, and the meeting has issued the following points: – |
| 3. | To fully restore his freedom back to Abdalla Mumin, the Secretary General of SJS, |
| 4. | To stop the harassments against the media and the journalists. |
| 5. | To hold accountable those who commit violence against the media |
| 6. | That citizens should be equal in the judiciary and justice. |