Press Release
National Union of Somali Journalists
Saturday, December 22, 2007
The training, which was organized by Article 19 (the Global Campaign for Free Expression) and the United Nations Human Rights Advisor for Somalia, was funded by the French Embassy in Nairobi.
The French Ambassador to Kenya delivered a speech at the closing ceremony saying that she was happy to see the training ended successfully and pledging continued support to the strengthening of the media profession in Somalia. She also raised a concern over the abduction of the French journalist Gwen Le Gouil in Puntland, northeast Somalia and asked for his release
H.E. Mrs. Barbier thanked the Secretary-General of NUSOJ, Omar Faruk Osman, the United Nations Somalia Human Rights Advisor Renaud Detalle, the programme officer of Article 19 (Global Campaign for Free Expression) John Gachie for their efforts to make the workshop a success.
Mr. Gomis of UNESCO also praised the Somali journalists for their courageous work in giving 'voice to the voiceless' and reporting on the numerous human rights violations occurring in the country.
During the workshop, many subjects were addressed including Human Rights, Freedom of Expression, Media Ethics, Labour Rights, Gender Issues, Conflict Reporting, Humanitarian Issues, Media and Peace Building, Electoral and Media monitoring, Constitution and Federalism, Judical Process, Media and Rule of Law and new Media.
This was the first training held for the Exiled Somali Journalists in Nairobi as the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) played a key role in helping the journalists to get assistance from the international community. NUSOJ is at work to secure funding for additional training opportunities for Somali journalists in 2008.
Source: NUSOJ, Dec 22, 2007