Mogadishu, Monday, January 5, 2026:CAFIS has concluded a two-day sign language training workshop in Mogadishu, aimed at promoting inclusive journalism and improving access to news and public information for deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
The training conducted in partnership with FESOJ and support from the Finnish Foundation for Media Development (VIKES) has been held from 30th to 31st December 2025 at Sahafi Hotel for twenty-two journalists selected from various media outlets operational in Mogadishu city, Somalia.
The training was aimed at strengthening inclusive journalism and improving access to information for the deaf community.
“The training improves Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities can access news and public information in a language they understand.” Mohamed Mohamud Adde , Senior Media Trainer has pointed out in his opening remarks.
He added that the training will also eventually supports freedom of expression and equal access to information for persons with disabilities.
The training sessions were delivered by experts including Mohamed Osman Burci, who is hearing impaired and Wali Hashi from VIKES and works with the Finnish National Television,
Salma Osman, a sign language interpreter, Mohamed Burci, and Liibaan Hassan shared with the participating reporters’ knowledge and experience related to sign language, drawing on the knowledge and experience they gained at Sign Language TV, which operates in Nairobi, where they were recently sent for training.
In conclusion, the participating journalists expressed strong appreciation for the training, noting that the trained journalists and interpreters can ultimately deliver news clearly, ethically, and accurately in sign language.
The participants also valued the training as its building the professional capacity and creates job opportunities for the deaf journalists and strengthens disability inclusive media practices.
In his closing remarks, Farah Omar Nur, the Secretary General of FESOJ, expressed appreciation for the participants, facilitators, and partners for their active engagement throughout this training. He urged the journalists to apply the knowledge they gained in their work to ensure equal access to media for all in society.
“This workshop will play key role in enhancing public awareness and supports integrate disability viewpoints into mainstream journalism and public discourse.” He pointed out saying in general, the sign language journalism training strengthens inclusive, ethical, and rights-based media systems.
) has concluded a two- day capacity building
