National Union of Somali Journalists
Press release
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today urged
Somaliland authorities to reconsider its decision to ban privately-owned
television network, while stressing the importance of ensuring media
freedom in Somaliland following the reshuffle of the cabinet.
Authorities in Somaliland officially banned on Monday, 22 July, the
operations of recently established television Network, Kalsan TV, in
Somaliland. Kalsan TV is based in London but has offices across the
country.
Abdullahi Mohamed Dahir, also known as Ukuse, the Minister of
Information, Culture and National Guidance of Somaliland said in a
meeting with managers of TV stations that Somaliland "banned the
operations of Kalsan TV with immediate effect".
The officially stated motive of the ban is "lack of license" to
operate in Somaliland. But the management of Kalsan TV and journalists
in Somaliland believe that the ban was prompted by a TV debate which was
recently broadcasted by Kalsan TV. Somaliland officials, who reportedly
knew when the said political debate was recorded, warned the Station
not to broadcast this debate but the Station aired.
According to media reports, Somaliland officials repeatedly expressed
their irritation concerning words used by Kalsan TV presenters who call
Somaliland as "Somaliland Administration" instead of calling it
"Somaliland government".
"We urge the authorities in Somaliland to fully respect its
commitment to media freedom and to revise the decision against Kalsan TV
quickly," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.