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. |
