MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Somalia, in partnership with BBC Media Action, has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening conflict-sensitive journalism and supporting Somali journalists to produce accurate, balanced and public-interest reporting.
The 12-month programme began with a four-day training for journalists from Banadir and Hirshabelle. A second training cohort is scheduled for Oct. 11–14.
The wider initiative will support 120 journalists from media organisations across Somalia through training, mentoring, content-production support and professional learning networks.
The programme will cover conflict-sensitive reporting, conflict analysis, media ethics, fact-checking and verification, misinformation and disinformation, gender-sensitive and inclusive journalism, journalist safety and the role of media in peacebuilding and social cohesion.
Participants will also be introduced to the Somalia Conflict Navigator, a UNDP-supported platform hosted by the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation (MoIFAR). The tool supports all Federal Member States and is intended to help journalists better understand conflict dynamics and provide context for responsible reporting.
Christophoros Politis, UNDP Somalia Resident Representative, said independent and responsible journalism can help strengthen public trust, social cohesion and resilience against misinformation.
“Independent, accurate and responsible journalism plays a vital role in strengthening public trust and social cohesion and resilience against fake news and misinformation,” Politis said.
He said the partnership with BBC Media Action would provide journalists with practical skills to verify information, report accurately on complex issues and provide communities with reliable information that can support peacebuilding.
The initiative is being implemented through UNDP’s Statebuilding and Reconciliation Support Programme (SRSP), funded by Switzerland and Norway through the Somalia Joint Fund and jointly steered by MoIFAR.
The programme comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen reconciliation, state-building and public institutions, with the media playing an important role in shaping public understanding of political, security and social developments.
By combining professional training with mentoring, content-production support and peer networks, the programme seeks to strengthen journalistic standards and encourage reporting that is inclusive, ethical and sensitive to conflict dynamics.
UNDP said the initiative is expected to contribute to more informed public dialogue and strengthen the media’s role in promoting social cohesion and peacebuilding across Somalia.
