Somaliland's Media Signs Code of Conduct on Election Coverage

(Hargeisa, Somaliland, April 26, 2010) Representatives from Somaliland's different local media outlets signed a media Code of Conduct yesterday concerning media coverage of the upcoming presidential election which is expected to take place in June, 2010.

The ceremony, which was held at Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa yesterday, brought to an end a two-day training workshop co-organized by Interpeace and Somaliland's National Electoral Commission (NEC), bringing together more than 50 journalists representing all of Somaliland's local media houses.

During the 2-day training, the Code of Conduct was heavily discussed, amended and ratified by the journalists. An important part of the training was a comparative analysis on the role of media on the election crisis in Kenya and the key lesson that experience offers Somaliland.

Among the delegates who were also present during the signing the media Code of Conduct included: Somaliland's Minister of Information, Mr. Ahmed Haji Dahir; NEC chairman, Mr. Ise Yusuf H. Mohamed; Director General of the Ministry of Information, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Alin (Timbaro); The Academy's Executive Director, Mr. Mohamed Saed Gees; Senior officers from Interpeace and representatives of the three national political parties.

	The Academy's Executive Director enjoys a comment by a participants.		Minister of Information, Mr. Ahmed Haji Dahir speaking at the ceremony		NEC spokesman, Mr. Mohamed Hirsi (Geelle) addresses the workshop participants.

Chairman of the United Somaliland Journalists, Mr. AbdiLah Mohamed Dahir thanks the participants for the momentous signing of the code.		Journalists sign the Code of Conduct in groups.

As part of efforts to ensure objective coverage of the electoral process, the signed Code of Conduct strictly prohibits from Somaliland's local media to disseminate any information that may hinder and challenge the smooth implementation of the upcoming elections.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony, the Minister of Information, Mr. Haji Dahir praised the country's major media outlets for signing the code and suggested that all work towards its realization prior to and during the upcoming elections.

Chairman of the United Somaliland Journalists, Mr. Abdilah Mohamed Dahir, who also spoke at the conclusion of the ceremony, stated that, as journalists, they will implement the code and will avoid playing any negative role in the upcoming presidential election which may subsequently destabilize the country.

Finally, NEC spokesman, Mr. Mohamed Hirsi (Geele) stated that they will soon nominate a commission that will monitor the implementation of the code of conduct.

A fortnight ago, the same journalists attended a 5-day training also co-organized by Interpeace and NEC in Addis-Ababa, where the code of conduct was drafted.

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