Somali community newspaper launched

Journalism lecturer Dave Porter (second from right), with students involved in producing the newspaper

A SOMALI community newspaper has been launched at MMU.

The paper was the brainchild of journalism lecturer Dave Porter, who has been working with the Somali Adult Care Agency.

The paper is bilingual, with all stories printed in both English and Somali.

Dave said: “The journalism department at MMU was approached by the Somali community in Manchester to see if we could help in producing a newspaper. SASCA - the Somali Adult Social Care Agency - specifically wanted a print product they could distribute within the community which would reach those parts of the population who don't have access to the internet or social media.

Student involvement

500 copies of the eight-page paper have been printed and distributed to the community via mosques, shops and at SASCA’s offices.

Dave said: “A large number of users of SASCA are mature adults and so a newspaper - with articles written in both English and Somali - was the obvious answer to what they wanted to do. SASCA provides advice on issues such as housing, education, jobs and welfare and Sasca News has been created as a community forum to help get information and advice out in the best way.

“Personally, I was very pleased to get on board with the project not least because my background is in print journalism.

“I recruited a small and dedicated team of students from our first year undergraduate journalism course (which only started this year) and we held weekly editorial meetings with volunteers from SASCA to work out what would be in the paper, the format it would take, building a website and social presence, and who would write the articles.”

Supporting voices

The first print run has been funded by MMU.

Dave said: “The first edition looks great and most importantly SASCA are very pleased with the result. Immigrant voices are not often heard in mainstream media and this project has helped give a platform to a significant section of the population in Manchester. With further training and support the aim is to hand over Sasca News to volunteers from the charity.”

“At MMU and within the journalism department we're also looking to expand this project as a model to other communities on our doorstep and beyond.”