Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Global media leadership gathered in Asia on Thursday as Somalia calls for stronger China-Africa media cooperation at Beijing Forum during the opening proceedings of the seventh biennial summit. Addressing international delegates, Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdulfatah Qasim Mohamud, emphasized the urgency of modernizing national broadcast infrastructure, expanding technical training for journalists, and adapting to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Accompanying the delegation were Ambassador to China Hodan Osman Abdi and Radio Mogadishu Director Abdulfatah Dahir Jayte, highlighting the government’s push to secure bilateral investments for institutional development.
The forum, co-organized by Chinese broadcasting authorities and African media coalitions, serves as a major multilateral platform for policy alignment and technical exchange across the Global South. During his address, Minister Mohamud highlighted ongoing national efforts to rebuild Somali public broadcasting facilities and strengthen press freedom, while cautioning that regional media houses face significant technological hurdles in digital content distribution. Somali officials urged Chinese state media networks and technology firms to offer structured capacity-building programs, technical expertise, and equipment upgrades to help African newsrooms keep pace with rapid digital shifts.
Ahead of the plenary sessions, the Somali delegation held bilateral discussions with Cao Shumin, minister of China’s National Radio and Television Administration, focusing on direct support for state media restoration. Bilateral discussions centered on implementing joint initiatives to repair legacy infrastructure, including technical upgrades for Radio Mogadishu studios and historical preservation projects at the National Theatre. Minister Mohamud noted that institutional partnerships in satellite broadcasting and digital archival systems remain central to preserving cultural heritage and delivering verified public information.
The diplomatic engagement comes as media organizations across Africa increasingly integrate digital tools and automated workflows to reach expanding online audiences. Domestic media observers note that while bilateral agreements offer valuable training and technological access, sustainable progress depends on converting diplomatic commitments into tangible equipment rollouts and continuous professional development for working reporters. By participating actively in the Beijing conference, Somalia aims to position its national media ecosystem to leverage international technical expertise while advancing public communication standards.