On April 14–15, 2026, within the framework of the Qarib project, and in partnership with the French organization CFI, Metro Center organized a two-day training for journalists entitled: “Journalism Training on Professional Coverage During Wartime.” The training aimed to enhance the skills of journalists and media professionals in covering conflicts and crises with professionalism and responsibility.
The course was announced on April 7, 2026, attracting strong interest from the media community, with 418 applicationsreceived. The selection process was completed on April 11, based on rigorous criteria including CV evaluation, diversity across media platforms (visual, audio, print, and digital), and gender balance.
Although the initial plan was to select 20 participants, the number was increased to 25 participants following approval due to high demand, comprising 13 women and 12 men.
The training was held over two days, totaling 16 intensive training hours. The first day focused on the legal aspects of media coverage during conflicts, led by Dr. Saman Fawzi, who provided in-depth insights into legal frameworks governing journalists’ work, including rights, responsibilities, and legal limitations.
The second day focused on practical newsroom practices, led by Salam Omer. The sessions covered key areas such as news editing, information gathering, source verification, and producing accurate and professional reports in crisis environments.
The training was delivered by experienced experts, including Dr. Saman Fawzi, who holds a Ph.D. in Law and is a former journalist and ex-member of the Iraqi Parliament, and Salam Omer, an international trainer with extensive experience in journalism and media practices.
Participants represented a wide range of media outlets, enriching discussions and facilitating valuable exchanges of experience throughout the training.
At the conclusion of the course, all participants received certificates of completion, underscoring the importance of professional and responsible media coverage in wartime and equipping them with essential skills to operate effectively in complex and high-risk environments.