Australia Supports Somali Journalists Fighting Disinformation

Somali Journalists Receive Training to Combat Misinformation in Three-Day Workshop

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) launched a comprehensive training program yesterday aimed at equipping Somali media professionals with tools to identify and counter the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation. The three-day workshop, taking place in Mogadishu from October 25-27, brings together 32 journalists from across Somalia’s federal member states.

Under the theme “Building Information Integrity in Somalia: Empowering Somali Journalists to Counter Disinformation and Misinformation for Quality and Ethical Journalism,” the initiative addresses a pressing challenge facing the country’s media landscape. The program is being supported by the Australian Government through its High Commission in Nairobi, which oversees diplomatic relations with Somalia.

Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General, emphasized the urgency of the training during his opening remarks. “Disinformation is a serious challenge to journalism, information integrity, social well-being and peace in Somalia,” he said. “Journalists must have the skills, confidence and ethical grounding to independently identify falsehoods disguised as disinformation and misinformation and protect the truth.”

The timing of this initiative is particularly significant as Somalia continues to navigate complex political and security challenges. The spread of false information has become increasingly problematic in the digital age, with social media platforms often serving as conduits for unverified claims and deliberate misinformation campaigns.

Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Jenny Da Rin, who participated virtually from Nairobi, highlighted the global nature of information integrity challenges. “The spread of false narratives poses real risks to public trust,” she noted. “This workshop builds on our partnership with NUSOJ by helping journalists strengthen their ability to identify, counter and prevent the impact of disinformation and misinformation in today’s vast information landscape.”

The High Commissioner added that false information undermines public health initiatives, disrupts elections, and weakens democratic institutions worldwide. She emphasized the crucial role that professional Somali journalists play in providing reliable, fact-based information to their communities.

Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has also thrown its support behind the initiative. Acting Director General Abdinasir Hussein, speaking on behalf of the Minister, praised the collaboration between NUSOJ and the Australian Government. “By empowering journalists with knowledge and skills, we are collectively strengthening the media’s role in promoting peace, stability, democracy and national unity,” Hussein stated.

The program’s curriculum covers practical skills essential for modern journalism, including fact-checking, digital verification techniques, and methods to debunk falsehoods. Participants are also learning strategies to counter violent extremist narratives and propaganda, while exploring ethical journalism practices in politically sensitive environments.

Digital safety and media literacy form additional key components of the training. Interactive sessions facilitated by experienced media experts allow journalists to work collaboratively through group exercises, case studies, and reporting simulations to apply their new knowledge in realistic scenarios.

This workshop represents part of a broader effort by NUSOJ to strengthen professional standards in Somali media. The union has consistently advocated for press freedom while recognizing the responsibility of journalists to provide accurate information to the public.

Somalia’s media environment faces numerous challenges beyond misinformation. Journalists operate in a difficult security context, with the country continuing to grapple with political instability and the threat of extremist groups. Building professional capacity is seen as essential not only for individual journalists but for the development of Somalia’s democratic institutions.

By investing in the professional development of journalists, particularly young media practitioners, NUSOJ aims to create a resilient media community capable of serving as defenders of truth and accountability. The workshop contributes to establishing journalism as a cornerstone of Somalia’s ongoing democratization process while helping rebuild public trust in media institutions.

The training concludes on October 27, with participants expected to return to their respective regions equipped with enhanced skills to identify and counter misinformation in their daily reporting activities.