The "Somali Journalists Delegation Training Program" was held in Ankara from May 19 to 25 under the coordination of the Directorate of Communications.
The training programme, crafted for members of the press and bureaucrats working in the field of media in Somalia, featured subjects such as combating disinformation, broadcasting in times of crisis, and media ethics.
The delegation visited our Directorate, met with Turkish academics and exchanged views on media cooperation between the two countries.
The programme provided a comprehensive introduction to the activities, organisational structure, roles and responsibilities of the Directorate, along with elaborate information on strategies to counter disinformation, crisis communication methods, and public diplomacy activities that have recently gained prominence.
In the programme, evaluations were made of the methods of combating information pollution in the age of social media and Türkiye's experiences in this field, as well as mechanisms for coordination among organisations. The delegation was also briefed on the communication campaigns conducted to provide the public with accurate information, rapid and transparent information sharing processes, and international media relations.
Somali journalists exchanged ideas on the establishment of structures similar to the strategic communication vision of our Directorate in their own countries and expressed their desire to improve technical capacities in this field.
The delegation also received information about Türkiye's capacity in public broadcasting and the defence industry through technical visits to the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) and HAVELSAN. As part of the visit, participants were provided with practical information on media technologies and news production processes.
The academic section of the programme was held from May 21 to 22, and it was hosted by the Anadolu Agency Academy. In this context, the delegation was provided with training on topics such as accurate journalism and media ethics, access to accurate information, news planning and content strategies, impartiality, and the use of reliable sources.
Practical sessions were also conducted for the delegation on content production for social media, video and graphic design, and broadcasting strategies during crises. The delegation also visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and received a briefing. Journalists participating in the training programme, which was concluded with a cultural tour, stated that the programme coordinated by the Directorate was extremely productive in terms of enhancing media cooperation and strengthening experience sharing at an institutional level.
