CPJ-Dalsan Radio First Safety Training Successful
Dalsan Radio and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) organized and supported a training program on safety and security for Somali journalists in Somalia.
The training which was held on the 21stSeptember 2013 under the implementation of Dalsan Radio and supported by CPJ had an attendance of 32 journalists from different media houses and freelance journalists.
The training program was tailored to teach journalists security while covering their work and what precautions to take in case of danger.
The training workshop was graced by the presence of tutors conversant with the safety procedures that govern the security of journalists.
Such training is highly recommended for journalists who cover armed confrontation of any kind. Knowledge and skills are imparted both in the classroom and in complex field simulations that challenge journalists to apply their skills and work together.
Most of the participants were taught personal awareness skills oriented towards combat risks and battlefield hazards, alongside with emergency first aid and how to identify exit routes in-case of an emergency.
Hostile environment and emergency first aid courses are prerequisites for safe reporting in any situation involving armed engagement, including violent protests and clashes. The courses included exercises in how to react to a kidnapping scenario.
This training was meant to change the journalists’ understanding of safety measures.
There were reputable journalists from different media houses and especially the director of Universal TV Mogadishu, Mr. Kulmiye, BBC Arabic Service reporter, Ali Halane, Al Hura TV reporter in Mogadishu, Liban Abdi Ali, and Nasra Abdi Osman who is a graduate student working for Dalsan Radio and ERGO which is a humanitarian radio based in Nairobi.
The journalists were also taught how to indentify hostile situations that can hinder their work and movement. For instance, the journalists were taught how to carry their own water from well reliable sources and not to trust untreated water in the course of their duties, may it be in the urban or jungle areas.
Most of the speakers of the workshop expressed concern of the need to have more exposure to such training workshops so as to minimize casualties amongst the journalists while on duty.
The journalists were exposed to their rights and expectations of their work and their working environment, the need to rise up and protect their rights in the right platform, and to recognize other journalists irrespective of their boundaries.
The workshop was a one day event. The government representatives who were present thanked Dalsan Radio for having such a noble idea of bringing the training workshop to the journalists and also recognized the advantages of conducting such trainings for the benefits of journalists in Somalia.
The director of Universal TV in East Africa said that it was high time journalists realized their potential while reporting and covering events in hostile situations.
He called upon journalists to exercise caution while carrying out their daily duties and to always be on the lookout while in hostile situations.
Ridwan Haji Abdiwali is the spokesman of the PM’s Office.
“This training will change the situation of the working journalists. The reason as to why they die is down to lack of security training. The government thanks Dalsan Radio and CPJ for this role”. Hon. Ridwan said.
Mr. Hassan Gesey, the Director of Dalsan Radio said:
“This is the first training of its kind in Somalia. Before I became director, I was an editor, reporter and producer. According to my experience, what Somali journalists need is security training. What is surprising is that all Somali journalists don’t have security training unlike the reporters of international media houses. That is why we the local FM stations do appeal to every organization that can do something to help us in this”. Mr. Hassan said.
“I would like to thank CPJ for it is in the forefront when it comes to helping the Somali journalists in terms of all kind of help, protection, and asylum seeking. I was among the journalists they hosted in 2009 when I as in exile in Nairobi. I can never forget their role. Today, they support us with this training and we say-don’t give up your effort”. Mr. Hassan added.
Abdalla Hersi, the Universal TV director in East Africa said “Thank you CPJ and I call upon all the participants to take these lessons seriously”.