The training, which was sponsored by the Golis Telecommunication Company, a private telecommunication company, has attracted more than 30 Somali journalists in the semi-autonomous regions of Puntland.

The opening ceremony of the workshop was attended by information minister, Ahmed Ali Askar, general manager of Golis Telecommunication Ali Haji Warsame, the head of Golis'marketing Saed Hussien, head of Golis commercial sector Omar Faruk.

In the opening speech at the training, chairman of NUSOJ Burhan Ahmed Dahir gave details over improving the Puntland journalists to be professional in their tasks.

“ It is much pleasure for us that you participated in this workshop on improving and at the same time encouraging the journalists to know more about professionalism and responsibility.” chairman of NUSOJ Burhan Ahmed Dahir said in his opening remarks, “I thank to Golis Telecommunication for their generous support for funding this workshop which has attracted journalists all across the different media sectors such as Radio and Television, Newspapers and Online journalists.”

“The media is the mirror where the society can see themselves and it is very important the journalists to be skilled with the necessary trainings to avoid repeated faults.” Mr. Dahir added.

The general manager of Golis Telecommunication, Ali Haji Warsame said in his opening remarks that that as Golis Telecom welcome free and responsible media praising them to be taking part in region's development. He encouraged the journalists to double their journalistic tasks.

Puntland information minister Ahmed Ali Askar who spoke at the opening ceremony of the workshop narrated over the history and the different levels of the telecommunication and world media and noted that both have strong links. Mr. Askar urged the participants of the workshop to take advantage of the lessons given to them.

The overall objective of the workshop was to improve the skills and the credibility towards independent reporting in Somalia by making sure that there is a framework and structure within the media in which professional and responsible journalism is nurtured and sustained as the trainers were media experts from BBC Somali Service notably Ahmed Mohamed Kismayo.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has held similar trainings in Mogadishu and will continue such trainings in order to ensure that journalists receive the proper trainings needed. The trainings will include capacity building for the journalists, ethical journalism, Promoting freedom of expression and the freedom of the press, trade union development and safety trainings among others END

The photos were uploaded in the below link:

http://nusoj.org.so/alerts/2012/July2012/NUSOJ_held_two_day_workshop_in_Garowe.htm