MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has concluded a four-day training programme aimed at strengthening the media’s ability to counter extremist propaganda, disinformation and hate speech as part of the government’s broader efforts to combat terrorism.
The programme, held in Mogadishu under the “Peace Journalists” initiative, was organized by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC).
Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Abdifatah Qasim Mohamud attended the closing ceremony alongside senior officials from Somalia’s defense establishment and the coalition.
The training brought together journalists from state and privately owned media organizations, as well as digital content creators. Participants were trained to analyze extremist narratives, identify disinformation and develop messages aimed at challenging terrorist propaganda.
Officials at the ceremony emphasized the growing importance of the media in Somalia’s security environment, particularly as militant groups use information and propaganda to influence public opinion and promote extremist ideology.
They said journalists have a role not only in reporting security developments but also in raising public awareness, countering hate speech and supporting social cohesion.
The initiative reflects expanding cooperation between Somalia and the IMCTC, a Saudi Arabia-based multinational coalition focused on countering terrorism and extremist ideology.
For Somalia, where Al-Shabaab remains a major security threat, controlling the information environment has become an increasingly important component of counterterrorism efforts. The militant group has historically used propaganda and digital platforms to recruit, intimidate communities and shape perceptions of government and military operations.
The programme also highlighted the challenge of balancing counterterrorism messaging with responsible journalism. Training journalists to identify false information and extremist narratives could help reduce the spread of propaganda while strengthening public access to credible information.
Somali officials said the Peace Journalists initiative is intended to build the capacity of national institutions and strengthen the media’s contribution to public safety, peace and national unity.
