HARGEISA– An internationally organized conference aimed at discussing on media related issues kicked off in Hargeisa yesterday. The well organized and attended ceremony was held at Mansour Hotel yesterday and saw the attendance of Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA), Free Press and media stakeholders. More than 150 reporters from all provinces in the country attended and held discussion sessions aimed at brainstorming and exchanging views on the best possible ways to overcome constraints that are faced with local practicing reporters and the way forward for media and reporters. The event which is due to be concluded on Wednesday (tomorrow) will issue a press release on media status quo in Somaliland.
The press statement also focused on media being a cornerstone as one of the pillars of the nation in its development.The attendees addressed ways to overcome the challenges that the media confront on a daily day basis. The locally organized summit, the first of its kind since SOLJA’s inception saw the attendance of the assistant minister for information, Ms. Shukri Harir and Mr. Hirsi Ali Hasan, the ex-presidential affairs minister who joined forced with Wadani opposition party and being appointed as their leader.
Ruling Kulmiye party spokesman, Hasan Mohamed Ali also took part the high-level summit.SOLJA’s Executive Director, Yahye briefed the attendees of the objective of the conference in his opening remarks.Additionally, he said that the major aim of the gathering is to solicit the solutions need to resolve the media challenges. Mr. Yahye, asserted that it was significant for the practicing journalists to get to know each other at a regional level.
He stated that introducing reporters from all provinces so as to entrench close cooperating rapport. The sitting SOLJA Chairman, Mohamoud Abdi Jama stressed that the mission behind its establishment was to protect and promote media interest at nationwide. He affirmed that one of its objectives was to oversee the freedom of the press in Somaliland.
The incumbent SOLJA chairperson announced that during the 14 years of its inception that the association did a lot for local journalists in Somaliland. He also announced at the same time that SOLJA will hold a symposium which will train local reporters on media laws.
Somaliland informer