Q&A with Hinda Abdi Mohamoud, Chief Editor of Bilan Media
Highlights from our Instagram Live with Hinda Abdi Mohamoud, Chief Editor of Bilan Media
To mark International Women’s Day this year, we spoke to Hinda Abdi Mohamoud, Deputy Editor of Bilan Media, Somalia’s first all-women media team. Hinda talked to us about her career and what it’s like to lead this independent outfit.
Q: How and why did Bilan Media start?
A: There’s never been something like Bilan Media in Somalia, and we needed an all female media [team]. We wanted to change the landscape of the local media which mainly focuses on the political issues and type of insecurity that’s happening in the country. So there’s a gap between the what the local media are covering and the local community. We tried to fill that gap, which is to cover the stories of social issues. That was our main goal. It also meant giving women the chance to be leaders and work together.
Q: What do you think women bring to storytelling that maybe men do not? Do you think we bring anything different and do we get something different from our interviewees?
A: Yes, because I think the two genders see different things and they have different feelings. Now we have the chance to cover stories that we want to. These stories were kind of taboo, but now we are sharing them. For example, people with HIV and also people with Alzheimers – now people know their stories. That’s the kind of perspective we are bringing to the table and sharing with the community.
Q: What would you like to see in an ideal world? What would you like to see to address some of the points you made?
A: For so many local media outlets, I would love to see them use technology in a safer way, and also catch up with the latest news and other media platforms in a better way; not just reusing some kind of new source. Also, taking the ethics of journalism seriously so that they can serve people with the right content. Knowing what kind of content creation can you put on platforms? Some kind of information maybe children can see but not all. They need to make these decisions and know how they can build their skills.
Q: What is your vision for the future for both you and Bilan Media? What can we expect to see in the next three to five years?
A: We will always continue the good work and be a role model for every young girl and woman, and for Somalis. In the next five years, we want to see similar media trying to be like Bilan and having the chance to.
We are the first, but we are not the last.
As for me, I will continue teaching people and always be a powerful force.
Watch the full session on Instagram.