Monday June 29, 2020
HARGEISA (HOL) - Authorities in Somaliland have ordered cable TV companies to cease transmission of content from Universal and Star TV in effect blocking the two stations from operating in the breakaway region.
A letter from the Minister of Information Suleyman Yusuf Ali seen by HOL directs Astaan cable, Hornsat cable and True cable to stop services to the two TV stations in what has escalated into a severe punishment by the Muse Bihi administration.
The move to ban the two TV companies from Somaliland follows the raid and closure of their offices last week in the capital Hargeisa.
Ali told BBC Somali this week the government had arrived at the decision to close the stations after they failed to air live the president’s speech during the 60th independence celebrations.
The Minister also alleged the two stations had ‘committed many mistakes’ and that they had been warned on several occasions. He however did not specify what the mistakes were.
According the minister, TV stations are obliged under the constitution to air live national celebrations.
The Somaliland authorities accused Universal and Star TV of livestreaming President Mohamed
Farmaajo’s speeches from Mogadishu and ‘neglecting Somaliland president’.
The decision today marks a new low for Somaliland which has in the last one year heavy handedly dealt with journalists and media houses.
Horyaal TV journalist, Jabir Said Duale is currently in remand for filming protests in Erigavo.