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needs only knowledge. They don't need money…they need knowledge. So if we get enough
knowledge, I think we will do our best.”
The second priority within this category was training in media law (separate from discussions
on media law under the enabling environment), as a way of teaching journalists both their rights
and their responsibilities. The most controversial split under this category was training
“journalists to be patriots,” reflecting a clear distinction in the expectations of government
media (which the government uses to get its messages across) versus private media (among
whose roles is to serve as a government watchdog). Lowest among the priorities under this
category was good governance in media associations, a subject which on the whole did not
receive much discussion during the workshops. Stakeholder interviewees, however, did
acknowledge the importance of association development.
Supporting Infrastructure
Production Equipment
Discussions under supporting infrastructure primarily centered on equipment, including printing
machines for newspapers and needs for broadcasters such as cameras and editing suites. The
equipment of most outlets is reportedly outdated, limiting their ability to produce quality
content and subsequently to attract audiences. Local respondents are aware that, particularly for
audiences with access to Internet and satellite, they are competing with a number of other
Somali-language options, including those based in the diaspora. As one noted, “they won’t
watch [our television] just because it’s from Somaliland. This is a problem of Somali
television…they don’t give good content or picture or enough sophisticated things.” There was
less awareness of the connection between attracting audiences and attracting advertisers (which
could help generate revenue that could help improve content).
Internet Access/Educational Opportunities
Participants rated Internet speed as a medium priority under this category, though it appeared
that the focus on Internet related more to the media’s ability to deliver content, rather than to the
public’s ability to access it. Given the focus on professional skills, participants surprisingly
ranked university journalism education at a low level, particularly as some noted that
independent academic programs would be the best way to provide long-term training.
Participants also raised the problem of a lack of qualified local trainers, stating that the skills of
existing trainers would also need to be upgraded.
Internal Capacity
Ownership/Revenue Generation
Within the category of internal capacity, participants rated their number one priority as the need
of owners to both have a stronger understanding of the media sector and sufficient funds to
operate their outlets. While discussion of this issue appeared a bit unclear, it may derive from
the pressures that owners may place on journalists to deviate from professional journalism
standards. Strengthening knowledge of these standards among owners would seek to prevent
their “dictating what the journalist should do,” as one participant put it. Discussions under this
category returned again to the question of equipment, and in particular, expectations that owners
should be able to provide their staff with proper equipment. As part of this discussion,
participants acknowledged that they would need to be trained on the new equipment as well.
Surprisingly, however, participants ranked as low priority the development of revenue
