SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:  

Establish SOLJA perates journalists’ welfare Information centers in Hargeisa 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 Somaliland Government offices. Aim to establish good governance Government in Somaliland, 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 SOLJA news paper, Magazine; brochures and other materials related to the development and promotion of journalists’ and general rural publics rights to access information from the government.

To establish Journalist Education Trust Fund, aimed at supporting and sponsoring talented writers identified in primary, Secondary and University level in order to strengthen the Somaliland Media Industry which is at incumbent operating unprofessionally.

Create an environment where journalists demand information and knowledge, exercise their rights and feel self confident about the capability of their fellow journalists.

THE SOLJA 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.

SOLJA monitors and conducts investigations into violations of press freedom and human rights of journalists

WHAT WE DO: WE IMPROVE OUR MEMBERS 

Professionalism- We work with highly visible, self-trained citizen journalists. We aim to assist them in reaching international standards through interactive workshops.

Credibility- It is difficult to build trust as a media outlet in Somaliland due to the polarization of society. We help journalists increase their credibility so they become more visible in Somaliland and the international media. We often put our trainees in touch with major broadcasters to ensure their good journalism reaches a wide audience.

Social Impact- Media has the capability to build peace, but it also has the potential to harm. We help Somaliland journalists ensure that their material does not unintentionally cause divisions in society.

Safety- We provide technical and physical security training to ensure that journalists operate as safely as possible in extremely difficult conditions.

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 Somaliland society.

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 Somaliland Republic, 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 Somaliland Journalist Association (SOLJA) are obliged to abide by the highest professional and ethical principles.

PROGRAMME COMPONENTS/THEMATIC AREAS  

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

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.
SOLJA 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 SOLJA’s intervention are growing, and important challenges to the programme’s implementation are also emerging.

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

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION RIGHTS MONITORING, PROTECTION AND CAMPAIGNS

Human Rights Monitoring and Alerts

Safe Haven

Campaigns Against Violations and Impunity

COMMUNICATION, RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

Public Communication. i.e. marketing SOLJA

Research

Publications and Distributions

Communicating Research Findings to Inform Policy.

MEMBERSHIP  

Across Somaliland, the SOLJA brings together individual freelancers journalists as well as media houses through their membership of the national sections. Membership of SOLJA is open to individual journalists and mass media organizations working or established, Currently SOLJA has active members of 28 media houses from Radio stations, TV stations, Printed media and online outlets and 841 professionals’ individual journalist. Membership has criteria as well as process and procedure during SOLJA’s membership intake SOLJA’s membership applications made on the prescribed forms to the executive committee whose decision regarding eligibility shall be the final. SOLJA runs from membership fees or annual subscriptions.

GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

SOLJA 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.

SECRETARIAT.  

SOLJA 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. SOLJA 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  

SOLJA 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 SOLJA and deals with regulatory issues. It elects the Board of Directors, the chairman and the vice chairman and secretary general.

MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 2023-2026

The Board of Directors is the legislative organ of SOLJA. Board members are elected by the members of the General Assembly. The Board of Directors provides financial oversight and maintains accountability. It also determines SOLJA’s mission and purpose and ensures effective organizational planning. The board of directors of its powers usually occurs in board meetings. SOLJA’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.