Somalia Empowers Journalists to Combat Al-Shabaab Propaganda
Somalia launches media training to equip journalists with skills to detect disinformation and counter Al-Shabaab extremist narratives.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 23, 2026
2 min read
Somalia has initiated a specialised training programme aimed at equipping journalists and digital content creators with tools to identify and counter extremist propaganda, particularly from Al-Shabaab.
The initiative, launched in Mogadishu with support from the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), brings together 40 participants from government and private media sectors, including journalists, academics, and social media influencers.
Training Focus and Objectives
- Verification of digital content and open-source intelligence techniques
- Analysis of images, videos, and network data to detect misinformation
- Recognising manipulated or misleading information
- Understanding extremist use of online platforms for propaganda
- Producing counter-narratives that avoid amplifying extremist messages
Somalia's Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi emphasised that combating terrorism extends beyond military action, requiring a multi-sectoral approach involving media, ideological, and economic strategies.
IMCTC Secretary General Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi highlighted the critical role of journalists in helping the public distinguish credible information from content aimed at fostering confusion or advancing extremist agendas.
Broader Cooperation
This media training is part of a wider collaboration between Somalia and IMCTC, involving over ten government institutions tasked with addressing terrorism through security, financial, and ideological measures.
The programme complements ongoing military operations against Al-Shabaab and efforts to curtail their use of online platforms for recruitment and propaganda dissemination.
