1. BACKGROUND 

Galmudug Journalist Association (GALJA) is state independent, non-governmental, non-political and nonprofit making organization based in Dhusamreb Galmudug State Somalia. It was established on August 2022 to defend and promote the rights and freedoms of the media, and generally, to help expand the boundaries of freedom of speech and expression in Galmudug, and to empower member journalists and ensure high standards of journalism/reportage in overall state districts. It’s legally registered with the Ministry of Information of social awareness as “Galmudug Journalists Association” with the mandate to build up and foster the knowledge and skills of the journalists to make information on education, developmental activities and entertainment access to the public; and to defend and advocate the rights of the journalists.  

GALJA representing more than 21 media houses consists Radio stations, TV stations, Printed media and online outlets and 130 professionals’ individual journalist members from all media houses in Galmudug. GALJA has sub offices in all Galmudug districts as well as representatives in other Somalia regions and Horn of Africa. The association has an adequate financial sound system (Quick book) and comprehensive procurement procedures.  

The association will carry out its activities throughout all the regions of Galmudug in partnership with Government, NGOs, UN & International organizations, and the local journalists by promoting the serial needs of the target groups through build media institutional capacity.  Its forge links and network of co-operation & excellent relationship, information sharing, Transparency & accountability with the community, government, LNGOs, UN & international Organizations as well as donors of the international community so that its goals are accomplished.  

Member journalists work across the whole industry as reporters, editors and sub-editors and photographers. Members work in broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, and in the new media (news websites). We are professionals who are proud of the work that we do. Our members come from many different families and backgrounds, with widely different regions. GALJA oversees initiatives to ensure that the press’ essential role in society is understood and respected.  

2. OUR VISION 

Media realizes its capacity in executing its activities within its ethical norms hence exercise freedom of expression in a fearless atmosphere. The vision of GALJA is a Galmudug in which all media and all persons can and will express themselves freely with absolutely no fear or threat of interference, reprisal or violation by any force.

3. OUR MISSION  

The GALJA Initiative works towards the establishment of a free and professional media in Galmudug. The goals of those who seek reform and peace in Galmudug, regardless of their political stance, want a healthy and active civil society, freedom of thought and expression, tolerance of different perspectives, fair elections, and transparent and fair governance. Good media can help create this change.

4. ORGANIZATION’S MAIN OBJECTIVES:  

  • Establish and operate journalists’ all two regions in Galmudug    
  • Establish and operate facilities aiming at delivering social services to journalists’ (Media Information Bureaus).  
  • Provide technical assistance, design projects and program, advice, from the purpose of promoting journalists’ welfare.  
  • Networking and building coalition with like-minded organizations.  
  • Provide training opportunities to Galmudug   journalists  
  • Publish material related to the development and promotion of public rights.  
  • Facilitate the provision of equipments and training materials to journalists’ schools in the state  
  • Equip journalists with the means of challenging and overcoming the constraints of outdated customs belief, economic and other social domination.  

5. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:  

  • Establish GALJA perates journalists’ welfare Information centers in Dhusamreb, and in the Regions, and create openings and conditions for journalist to improve their skills and living conditions in the society. 
  • Establish and operate facilities aiming at various Training levels of journalism and Mass Communication including delivering social services to journalists’. 
  • To provide short and long term courses in Mass Communication and Investigative Journalism to curb or minimize the rampant corruption prevailing in Galmudug Government offices. Aim to establish good governance Government in Galmudug  , which at incumbent most public complain about it  
  • Prepare debate, radio and T.V, programs on the issues related to public development in order to encourage critical thinking from the society and the academic community.  
  • Provide technical assistance, design projects and programs, with the purpose of promoting journalists’ to get the skills so that they impart it to the society in the rural and urban areas to strengthen democracy, Pluralism, Diversity and accuracy.  
  • Network and build coalitions with other likeminded organizations in conducting campaigns and build awareness on Media Freedom, Civic Education, Corruption, public rights issues, advocate for Information Media Bill 2007 and Media Services Bill 2007 addressing media problems to be sent to parliament for endorsement. 
  • Publish GALJA newspaper, Magazine; brochures and other materials related to the development and promotion of journalists’ and general rural publics rights to access information from the government.  
  • Create an environment where journalists demand information and knowledge, exercise their rights and feel self-confident about the capability of their fellow journalists.  

7. THE GALJA IS GUIDED BY THE FOLLOWING VALUES:  

  • Our interest and actions in promoting media rights and other rights of free expression are inspired by the principles of equality, liberty and social justice irrespective of belief, race, ethnicity, or sex.  
  • We are independent, non-partisan and non-sectarian.  
  • We desire to attain excellence and professionalism in our work  
  • A commitment to accountability, transparency and good stewardship.  
  • A commitment to teamwork, collaboration, cooperation, partnership and solidarity.  
  • GALJA monitors and conducts investigations into violations of press freedom and human rights of journalists  

8. WHAT WE DO: WE IMPROVE OUR MEMBERS 

  1. Professionalism- We work with highly visible, self-trained citizen journalists. We aim to assist them in reaching international standards through interactive workshops.  
  2. Credibility- It is difficult to build trust as a media outlet in Galmudug   due to the polarization of society. We help journalists increase their credibility so they become more visible in Galmudug   and the international media. We often put our trainees in touch with major broadcasters to ensure their good journalism reaches a wide audience.  
  3. Social Impact- Media has the capability to build peace, but it also has the potential to harm. We help Galmudug   journalists ensure that their material does not unintentionally cause divisions in society.  
  4. Safety- We provide technical and physical security training to ensure that journalists operate as safely as possible in extremely difficult conditions.  
  5. Sustainability – The purpose of our initiative is long-term. We build the capacity of media outlets so they can operate independently and effectively in the future and play an active and positive role in Galmudug society.  

9. OUR GENERAL PRINCIPLES 

The right to information, freedom of expression and criticism is one of the basic rights of every human being regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion and political belief.  

  • The right of the public to be informed on facts and opinions generates rights and responsibility of journalists.  
  • In their work, journalists are obliged to defend human rights, dignity and freedom, respect pluralism of ideas and views, contribute to strengthening of the legal state and as democratic part of publicity participate in controlling the performance of government and politics.  
  • Journalists shall abide by the Constitution and the positive laws of the Galmudug state, the Statute and Acts of the International Journalist Federation (IFJ) as well as the acts of the Global on freedom of expression, informing and human rights.  
  • Journalists nurture culture and ethics of public statement, respect the accomplishments and values of advanced civilization.  
  • All members of the Galmudug Journalist Association (GALJA ) are obliged to abide by the highest professional and ethical principles.

10. PROGRAMME COMPONENTS/THEMATIC AREAS  

To effectively pursue the GALJA’s objectives and deliver the desired outcomes, GALJA’s programme of work is divided into four broad thematic areas or components which will constitute its main programme departments as follows:

11. MEDIA LAW POLICY REFORM AND LEGAL DEFENSE 

Set up in year 2012, the Network comprises legal experts from across the sub-region to primarily provide legal support for Journalists/Media in their legal defense against criminal prosecution.

GALJA with support from its partners has through this network made several interventions in a number of cases with significant national impact and implications. As a result too, demands for GALJA’s intervention are growing, and important challenges to the programme’s implementation are also emerging.  

12. MEDIA, DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT  

  • Media and Elections  
  • Capacity building of the media and Civil Society Organizations for democratization
  • Media for Peace-building and Conflict Transformation  
  • Media for Social Cohesion and Development  
  • Media, Gender and Development  

13. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION RIGHTS MONITORING, PROTECTION AND CAMPAIGNS  

  • Human Rights Monitoring and Alerts  
  • Campaigns Against Violations and Impunity  

14. COMMUNICATION, RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS  

  • Public Communication. i.e. marketing GALJA   
  • Research  
  • Publications and Distributions  
  • Communicating Research Findings to Inform Policy.  

15. MEMBERSHIP  

Across Galmudug, the GALJA brings together individual freelancers journalists as well as media houses through their membership of the national sections. Membership of GALJA is open to individual journalists and mass media organizations working or established, Currently GALJA has active members of 21 media houses from Radio stations, TV stations, Printed media and online outlets and 100 professionals’ individual journalist. Membership has criteria as well as process and procedure during GALJA’s membership intake GALJA’s membership applications made on the prescribed forms to the executive committee whose decision regarding eligibility shall be the final.

16. GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  

GALJA was founded and is governed by our member journalists. We are a democratic association, and our strength comes from the involvement and engagement of all our members. It is possible for all members to influence policy.

The Association’s policy, objectives and priorities are decided at the General Assembly, which meets once in every three years. Six Branches of the association are entitled to send delegates to the General Assembly in proportion to the size of their membership. Policies and programs developed by the elected members are implemented and administered by the National 

  • SECRETARIAT  

GALJA is governed by a Supreme Council, responsible for the general policies between General Assemblies, and an Executive Committee, in charge for the administration of the Association. The diversity of the association’s membership also is one of its strengths. GALJA is pitilessly opposed to discrimination and prejudice, on grounds of gender, tribe/clan, age or disability, not least because it divides rather than unites.  

  • GENERAL ASSEMBLY  

 GALJA  has general assembly that all the members meet and held at once in every three years, also the Association has effective governing “Board of Director” of Fifteen (15) members, the assembly are the supreme organ of authority in the association which approved the constitution of the association and has power the election of the BOD as per the constitution.  It takes all decisions related to the policy of GALJA and deals with regulatory issues. It elects the Board of Directors, the chairman and the vice chairman and secretary general.  

 Most of these sentiments focused on the need of upholding etiquette, righteousness, freedom of expression and, amongst others the inherent need for imperative free and fair election. 

  • EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Board of Directors is the legislative organ of GALJA. Board members are elected by the members of the General Assembly. The Board of Directors provides financial oversight and maintains accountability. It also determines GALJA’s mission and purpose and ensures effective organizational planning. The board of directors of its powers usually occurs in board meetings. GALJA ’s legal systems require sufficient notice to be given to all directors of these meetings, and that a quorum must be present before any business may be. 

  • BOARD COMMITTEES 

The Board of director is the leading body of the association between two sessions and they review and approves association plans, identify needs, and link planning to budget, approves implementations of the operational manuals, associational policies and procedures, internal control system, designs and develops the strategic plans/directions of the Bar; and amends where deem necessary  

The Board of Directors is divided into five sub-committees who are responsible for:  

  • Finance and Audit  
  • Lobbying and Advocacy  
  • Social Services Development Committee  
  • Peace building and Conflict Resolution Committee  
  • Capacity Building and Development Committee  
  • THE SECRETARIAT 

The Secretariat consists of the staffs that are responsible for the day to day running of GALJA. It is headed by an Executive Director who is appointed by the Board of Directors.  

  1. Affiliated / Member 

The Galmudug   Journalist Association is an active member 

International 

  1. International Media Support  
  2. Doha Centre for Media Freedom  
  3. Free Press Unlimited  
  4. Media Legal Defence Initiative  
  5. Press Emblem Campaign  
  6. World Press Freedom Committee  
  7. Centre for Freedom of the Media  

Nationally 

  1. National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ
  2. Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA),
  3.  Media Association Puntland (MAP),
  4. Somalia Media Association (SOMA