Hargeisa, 3 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Every nation’s information flows through a variety of media system intended for progress and for its people’s guidance. Somaliland media has done a commendable job in the development and community awareness of their country. Radios, Televisions, Web-sites, Magazines and Journals transmit full sense of persuasions, suggestions, criticisms, warnings, advertisements, congratulations and vacancy announcements.
The wide benefits from media means it acts as a public good in development of a nation. The right to receive information and to the freedom of expression is set out in the African charter for Human and Peoples’ Rights and also Somaliland’s constitution. This must be respected by Somaliland government.
The media is an educator and key information source that can promote peace, stability and transparent governance. For example, Somaliland now has 8 private newspapers, two independent private television stations and one radio stations, for one state local radio stations and one television station. This rapid expansion has generated some problems, including inadequately trained journalist, poor provisional standards and week-self regulation. More over, Somaliland government much controlled the private media and remains government owned. The monopolization of media by the government undermines media freedom and popular trust, and creates space of distortion and rumor.
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The single greatest obstacle facing Somaliland media were the illegal arrests made by the government. 27th March 2009, four journalists were arrested by the government. Three of the journalists were released in 8 hours later while the other one was remained in prison, later on Ahmed Saleban Dhuxul was caught by the police at the parliament compound while the house of elders had a session to extend the president’s term in office in the morning 28th March 2009. The detained reporter, Ahmed Saleban Dhuxul was an independent correspondent of Somaliland Space Channel (SLSC) and radio Horyaal.
Mr. Dhuxul was denied access to enter the hall of the meeting while the other journalists were allowed to take part the assembly of the House of elders. He was released after government failed to confirm his guilty to the court.
Interviewed on the phone, one of the released reporters told us Jamahiriya news paper at that time, that his arrest happened at Jigjiga-yar road, where he was taken to the central police station. The reporter, Mr: Liibaan Maweel Shire spent the night at the police station and in the morning 28th March at 10:00 am the police caught Dhuxul and sent him at the police station. He also added that the government has recently increased a systematic campaign against the press. This arrest was condemned by Union Of Somaliland Journalists (USJ) and indicated that the government in recent months arrested a number of journalists like Curad the editor of Yool newspaper and tortured number of them, as the HCTV Camera man who was beaten in Dacar Budhuq district east of Hargeisa.
On 12 July 2009, Mr. Dhuxul and his colleague Sayid were arrested again. The government linked their arrest as they works for a private radio called Radio Horyaal which the government believes that it belongs to the main opposition party named Kulmiye.
On 29th July 2009, at 6:30pm Somaliland police closed down the Horn Cable TV office in Hargeisa. The police later on headed to the studio located east suburb of the city; how ever after a long tedious quarrel and brushes between the reporters and staffs at the studio, the police forcefully arrested the news head of HCTV, Mr. Mohamed Abdi (llig).
Finally, we are criticizing this systematic campaign against the private media. But the question is how can we save our local media?
Submitted by: Farhan Abdi Suleiman
Farhan Abdi Suleiman ( oday) is a student at University of Hargeisa.
Email: oday1999@yahoo.com
Phone: 4401132
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Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial
What people forget here or do not want to talk about is the issue of the government legitimacy and the limit of the press freedom in the world. I think the government has also the right to sue, question or even organize the media outlets in the country or in any country in the world.
Somaliland media is out of control. Apart from it being incompetent, it also lack the social responsibility that they were suppose to adapt. Most of them have no ethics at all. A guy sitting in a Mafrish can develop any story from the Mirqaan stories and later on cry a river when he/she is questioned about the source.
To be balance and fair, to give credit to both sides we also need to highlight from the both sides. Yes, the government is abusing the freedom but the media is also out of control.
this is some thing need a greater attention. i mean if we as normal civilians dont get the right information becouse of the wrong perception of the goverment we are in danger. the right to get the right information is geting out of the window.
why is the goverment detaining the journalists are they telling againist the enterest of the goverment members or is it mirely dettention with out purpose? asking your self to this questions you my be a greater defendent.
Somaliland news media, please be as impartial as you can be when reporting news from home . please, do not be taking by clan or emotional side of an events.
Good luck!
Mr. Obsiye,
I for one have found this website SomalilandPress to be unbiase when it comes to coverage of Somaliland news and current issue. So why don't we support sites like Somalilandpress rather than judging all the Somaliland media outlets the same. SomalilandPress is the only Somaliland website that has in Google it's headquarter office "Hargeisa,Somaliland". Also as we know there are so many websites that are being operated by the enemies of Somaliland that put false news/image of Somaliland in Google News. SomalilandPress is doing very in putting out a positive image of Somaliland to the world. Let us give credit when credit is due.
Thank you
Loyal visitor of SomalilandPress
Ahmed Warsame
Washington DC, USA
The symbiotic relationship between the media and the governments has existed and will exist but one thing remains true —- we have not, on one hand objective, independent and impartial media that's acting as the fourth pillar of the nation and on the other hand, honest and caring government that lays down the foundation for such media.
I sometimes find it difficult to get balanced news from the so-called Somaliland media.
Thanks Farhan for that analysis
I think it's important for the media to be "out of control" as many as you put it, because when things are free as the bird they are often out off control. When there is real freedom of speech and freedom for the press, people can write about any thing and everything they like it's about to the reader to filter their source and what they read.
This is why you often see "terms of use" and other similar things on most free websites.
Putting them "under control" is controlling them let them be out off control and free, its put to you as a reader to chose what you read and where you read, dont blame the reporters or journalists. In America where there is great freedom of press, there are racist journalists, media, they are left-wing media such as Fox news, they are part of America, and if certain Somaliland media want to take sides be it, that's how it should be.
You as a reader drive the traffic and what media writes about, so make up your mind, because its always you that's reading about tribes and when they give it to you, you complain because you want to be the center of attention or you didn't agree with their view.
Allow it.
Im pro Somalilandpress