Roads to Influence: A Practical Tool Kit to Increase Safety for Journalists through Advocacy in Somalia/Somaliland

"Only when media freedom can be ensured, will the media be able to fully play their role in a democratic society, serving as a watchdog of authorities and power holders and offering information and public education as well as acting as outreach channels for both civil society and governments." - Jesper Højberg (IMS) and Johan Romare (Fojo Media Institute)

International Media Support (IMS) and Fojo Media Institute (Fojo) have offered their partners in Somalia and Somaliland practical training in preparing advocacy strategies through a range of trainings and advisory sessions. This step-by-step guide is a part of the capacity-building course.

Despite the fact that policies and laws exist in Somalia and Somaliland to protect journalists, and the governments claim to support freedom of expression, personal safety for journalists cannot be taken for granted in these countries. Advocacy highlights to the public the benefits of freedom of expression and the strength of particular laws and policies, and it generates support to put pressure on duty-bearers and policymakers.

Although the overall approach to advocacy in this toolkit is generic, it is mainly intended for employees working for organisations in Somalia/Somaliland promoting human rights and safety for journalists.

After exploring the media context in Somalia and Somaliland, this toolkit looks at advocacy as a strategy, asking: Why advocacy? What characterises good advocacy work? The bulk of the toolkit presents the main steps to be considered:

• Step 1: Identifying and understanding the problem
• Step 2: Setting the objective
• Step 3: Understanding the policy context
• Step 4: Identifying and analysing the stakeholders
• Step 5: Selecting the "target group"
• Step 6: Developing key messages
• Step 7: Deciding on tools and activities
• Step 8: Considering gender issues
• Step 9: Outlining monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
• Step 10: Assessing and mitigating the risks

Several case studies throughout illustrate the steps in practice. The toolkit concludes with a brief list of relevant literature.