On December 16-17, 2025, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and the National Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission of Somalia (NIEBC) conducted a training for 102 journalists on professional election coverage, journalist safety, and countering disinformation ahead of the Banadir Regional Council elections. Participants included media professionals from both private and state-owned outlets in Mogadishu.
The training emphasized electoral guidelines, best practices for fair and accurate reporting, and the risks journalists face during elections. NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman stressed the need for journalists to safely reflect diverse views and access accurate information.
In a related meeting, NIEBC Chairperson Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan assured the safety of journalists and their access during the elections, which are set to start despite opposition claims that the process is neither free nor fair.
