Somaliland Govt shuts down two TV stations

Hargeisa, June 18 (Somalilandcom):- The Somaliland government has shut down two TV stations, Eryal-Tv and Horyaal-TV, according to the management of these media outlets, on Tuesday, June 18.

Top management of both TV stations has confirmed the closure after been raided their premises by armed police officers. The officers were carrying out orders from the Ministry of Information to shut down the stations alleging them that they broadcasted fake and inciting news articles.

Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA), freedom and human rights activists condemned the latest government actions against the media.

Somaliland Journalists Association, SOLJA, strongly condemned the Somaliland Government’s actions, in a statement distributed to the press.

“SOLJA considers these actions and a threat to Somaliland’s democratic system and the freedom that is enshrined in the constitution” the statement added on.

Although the Somaliland Constitution clearly protects the freedom of speech and the press, this is not the first time that a newspaper or TV is banned or editors are arrested for disseminating information which the government claims it as fake news or against the interests of the ruling party.

Earlier this year, Hargeisa Regional Court has given a local newspaper called Foore a publication ban of one year.

Activists and ordinary citizens expressed their dismay in twitter.

• Read also:
• Hargeisa Court Bans and Fines Foore Newspaper and Puts Editor in Jail.
• Police Defy Somaliland President’s Tolerance Call of Police Restraint