FESOJ conducts virtual training in safety procedures for the prevention of Covid-19
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MOGADISHU, Somalia – Twenty-five Somali journalists from different regions of Mogadishu and other regional federal member states have participated in 2-day online training held on 17-18 April 2021 on respect for the safety procedures for the prevention of Covid-19.
The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) organized the online training with the support of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which aimed to improve the safety of journalists, an advocacy campaign for COVAX vaccine rollout for Covid-19 and the pandemic reporting coverage.
Ahmed Mohamed Ali, Mohamud Mohamed Adde and Farah Omar Nur, veteran and qualified, long-term media coaches, have facilitated the two-day online training sessions.
Dr. Hanan Hassan, a qualified healthcare professional who detailed the public, has understood the background and origins of the pandemic and the values of the vaccine.
In addition, she explained that most of the public has accepted the vaccine inoculation, despite disseminating false news that the vaccine carries the virus and can cause blood clots. She added that frontline health workers and vulnerable people prioritize being immunized.
During the sessions, the participating journalists from radio, television and online channels were guided through the thematic areas of: – the importance of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and the Sinopharma Covid vaccine to prevent the spread of the pandemic, the misunderstanding about the vaccine, needs for social awareness in the media, the ethics for reporting Covid-19 and the related principles.
In addition, participants have been exposed to a session on what is fake news and in particular on Covid – 19, and the need to have an accurate and reliable source of information when reporting on issues related to the pandemic.
“The online training has focused on the key topics of safety procedures in Covid-19 reporting coverage, an advocacy campaign for the introduction of COVAX vaccine in Somalia and presentation on radio drama preparation for information on COVAX vaccine rollout to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Farah Omar Nur, Secretary General of the FESOJ, said in his official opening statement.
From the two-day virtual training, we have learned lessons on the best ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and we have acquired the necessary skills to prepare media programs on Covid-19 and a vaccine advertising campaign to prevent the spread of Covid-19. pandemic. Burhan Cadeysay, a journalist in Galkacyo explained
“I had the opportunity to learn about the ethical Covid-19 reporting on the situation, the difference between fake news and propaganda, and the influential prominent members of society participating in the media campaign for the Covid-19 vaccine, which prevents the spread of the pandemic. Shukri Ismail, a female journalist in the city of Baidoa, South West State of Somalia, said.
“We hope this training will improve the way journalists cover the COVID-19-related news and the distribution of the vaccine that prevents the spread of the pandemic. We urge trained journalists to practice the lessons and strategies shared by media experts, ”Abadir Abdulkadir Elmi, FESOJ President, said in his concluding remarks.
