by Mohammed Abdi Awciise Bahdoon
Friday, October 08, 2010
“a peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one. ~Rita Mae Brown”
It’s a long overdue decision and we are with our minister to entirely ban The Universal TV off the air including their tainted and biased programs that had been aired so long and so often. It’s a TV with concealed agenda, full of hypocrisy and determination to undermine Somaliland’s political success, its ambitious and also to amplify the Republic of Somaliland’s enemy programs. In addition, Universal TV was previously accused that, it broadcasted picture of prophet Muhammad(scw) and was banned from that regions namely South Somalia.
Further, Universal TV management had been ignored government’s requests to which they must always report for consultation of its public programs before airing and as a consequence, the information minister issued the ban and yet offered further opportunity for Universal TV to report at the minister office as soon as possible with no prompt reply.
The republic of Somaliland owns the ultimate power to exercise against anyone or groups those who are deemed to be risky to the country and its sovereignty. Thus, power applied to Universal TV is fair and appropriate. Universal TV does not have many options left, but to fully comply with Somaliland government dictations. As a matter of fact, keeping your house in order requires critical decision to be made with no fear of repercussion and consequently, minister reached this decision to perform his duly patriotic act and to safeguard our people and the country. We support the ban and rally behind it.
Democracy and media independency function together freely without restraints when all players and stakeholders respect the rule of laws. Therefore, media advocacy groups who had been somehow become irritated about the ban have no place in this issue as TV Universal blindly and intentionally broke the media law in Somaliland. One last point to make is that Universal TV management should do its homework in Somaliland, not in London.
In total, information minister’s decision is a courageous and patriotic act with no reversal required at this time. Universal TV is an independent TV stationed in London, UK and it operates in the Republic of Somaliland to generate revenues with no respect of our country’s law. Hence, government should closely monitor Universal TV and its unprofessional activities.
Mohammed Abdi Awciise Bahdoon
IT consultant @IBM Canada
Canada
[email protected]