Somaliland Journalist Assembly Spoke About TV Closure

Hargeisa—June 28, 2020, Somaliland journalist umbrella known as SOLJA held a briefing about the closure of Universal TV.  SOLJA director Mohamed Jama “Xuto” said media asked the minister “why are you closing down the TV?”  Information Minister said “ I let you know the charges later.”  as he is making it up. This drama dashed transparency and the rule of law.

The director said that the media shouldn’t accept unjust rules and the government shouldn’t punish press for their judgements.

Mr. Xuto also said if you sign an unlawful agreement than you should abide by the accord.  “The media in Somalia are two types: foreign and local.”

He also said that the government can’t shut down a news outlet without the due process but if they do so, they violate the national laws.

Universal TV, the largest news network in Somali-speaking territory has been profiled and targeted for its independent editorial policies, say Somaliland media crews. Founded by a private citizen from Mogadishu, Universal TV was harshly mistreated by Somaliland backed by the local TV which consider Universal TV’s expansion and the takeover of Somaliland households extremely dangerous to its weak business niche.

The director admitted there is no reason to defend the stifled news channel since there is no charges brought against it.

In Somaliland’s new rule emerged under the president Muse Bihi is arrest first and then charge later! It is a world of an upside down.

The director went further and said “both the media and the government are wrong!”  Adding his organization has defense lawyers but he doesn’t see any accusation against the channel. He stated two laws exist in Somaliland: one applicable upon international media but he didn’t clearly stated if it a military laws recently made up for Universal TV. He refers to Universal channel “ as a foreign news outlet,” many times despite being in charge of a Somalilander who is well aware of Somaliland media laws and said they didn’t break any law, be it real or imaginary.  

this director’s remarks signal that international news agencies if they dare to set in this volatile region would a completely applicable by different set of laws than the one in the open domain.