A game changer in the media landscape

"Bailan" news... the first media outlet operated by women in Somalia

  • Bilan's coverage reflects the concerns of Somali women.

    archival

  • Somali journalist from Bilan.

    From the source

  • Female journalists from the "Bailan" news outlet.

    From the source

picture

Bilan, Somalia's first women's news outlet, means "bright and clear".

It aims to report powerful human stories often ignored by the male-dominated Somali media - from the personal impact of chronic drought and localized damages of climate change, to living with HIV/AIDS, addiction issues and gender-based violence.

It seeks to highlight the achievements of news women, and to provide examples of professional excellence for other Somali women.

Behind this effort are six women who are practicing journalism in Somalia like never before.

"Lots of Somali girls in the press are calling us to join us, and we support them," says Kane Hassan Fakat, dressed in typical Somali dress with a headscarf and long shawl.

dream

The dream of working as a journalist began haunting Fekkat when she was ten years old.

Her family joined the hordes of Somalis displaced by war and hunger, and since 2007 settled across the border in northern Kenya, in one of the largest refugee camps in the world.

Every day, Fakat listened to her uncle's radio, tuning it to the Somali Voice of America service.

And every day she becomes more informed and inspired by the reports of VOA's Asha Ibrahim Aden, a veteran reporter who speaks with confidence.

Fakat recalls her memories, adding, "I used to say, 'Maybe I can be like this journalist. Her reports fascinate me.'"

Today, Fakat is a role model for aspiring female journalists in Somalia, becoming part of the reporting team at the country's first all-female news outlet.

“We encourage our sisters. They call us and say: Fathi, can you help us?

We want to join Bilan, we want to write this story, how can you help us?” Fathy continues, “Part of their mission is to bring taboo topics out into the open.” about it with men.

experiences

Launched last April with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Bilan has recruited more than 10 highly qualified Somali women journalists, each with years of experience writing news or broadcasting on local radio or television.

The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Mogadishu, Jocelyn Mason, described the ambitious goals of the Bilan outlet when it was established, and says about that, “We hope that this will be a game-changer in the Somali media landscape, providing new opportunities for women journalists and highlighting new topics that have been ignored, Especially those that concern women.

In interviews conducted in the six months prior to Bilan's launch, the UNDP found that Somali female journalists "reported harassment not only on the streets, but even in their private offices."

"They are often denied opportunities for training and promotions, and when women reach a position of power, they are often ignored, while more younger personalities take up the opportunity," the United Nations Development Program said in a statement.

The outlet's news coverage reflects issues that are seen to primarily affect women, including childcare, domestic violence, and equal political representation.

In addition to providing stories to local Somali media through Dalson's broadcast media platform, based in Mogadishu, Bilan reaches a global audience by publishing stories in foreign news agencies such as The Guardian, BBC and El Pais. In Spain.

Before Bilan, Somali women journalists were very weak. They felt fear in everything, like making decisions, and they were waiting for men, editors and directors to help them.

Interviews conducted in the six months prior to Bilan's launch revealed that the UNDP had found that Somali female journalists "reported harassment not only on the streets, but even in their private offices."

Launched last April with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Bilan has recruited more than 10 highly qualified Somali women journalists, each with years of experience writing news or broadcasting on local radio or television.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news