• 3 comments
• Print
• Email
• Tweet
• Reset

The growing number of radio stations in Somalia in recent years has brought about an elevated level of competition and freedom of expression, yet has also provided a mouthpiece for under-trained and subversive elements, observers say.

The emergence of a diverse pool of political and financial resources has helped Somali media progress, veteran journalist Abdullahi Igalle told Sabahi. However, he said these news agencies are operated by a younger generation that lacks the professionalism and ethos to cover news accurately, thus placing them in the crosshairs of rival groups that resort to assassinating media personnel.

Igalle told Sabahi one of the weaknesses new reporters have is that they do not question the information provided by media network owners trying to push their political agendas.

Yusuf Ali Osman, head of the department of communication and licensing at the Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunications, told Sabahi that employees of local radio stations are being infiltrated by al-Shabaab and opportunist politicians who want to stir up trouble, cause riots and terrorise members of the National Constituent Assembly who voted for the draft constitution on August 1st.

Osman warned against having journalists on staff whose positions on the constitution and the restoration of stability are questionable, as such people may not possess the required objectivity and may be under the sway of clans or businessmen.

The level of education of many local reporters is insufficient, with the exception of a minority of professionals, Osman said. He underscored the importance of putting in place comprehensive training programmes with the help of foreign expertise.

Spreading truth and raising awareness

Aweys Mohamed Nur Fodey, a reporter for the UN-funded Radio Bar-Kulan based in Nairobi, said the growing number of radio stations in Mogadishu represents tangible progress.

"It is not unusual to have so many stations in Mogadishu," Fodey told Sabahi. "If you look at the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, you will find 20 public and private radio stations that have been focusing their efforts on promoting patriotism so as not to fall victim to tribal fighting, especially since bloody violence erupted in some of the Kenyan provinces in 2007."

"I advise those working in the stations to focus their coverage on spreading the truth and raising awareness in society so they can give peace and love a chance," he said.

Osman Hassan Ali, a presenter for Universal TV, said local radio stations, licensed by the Transitional Federal Government's Ministry of Information, are essentially contestants in a race among tribes. He accused some stations of resorting to favouritism to implement their agendas.

Ali told Sabahi that the government should implement strict laws for radio station owners to dissuade them from becoming involved in sensitive security issues or inciting havoc among tribes.

Radio engineer Abdiwahab Abdullahi Dhelmay said the civil war that engulfed Somalia for almost 21 years allowed warlords and armed groups to establish media institutions that serve their own interests. He said such stations should now be boycotted.

"Local media is now competing to lift taboos, even if their target is the president and his close circle," he told Sabahi.

There are more than 21 radio stations broadcasting in Mogadishu, the most popular of which include Shabelle Media Network, Radio Kulmiye, state-run Radio Mogadishu, Radio Mustaqbal and Radio Bar-Kulan.

HornAfrik used to be one of the most popular and respected radio and television stations in Somalia, but al-Shabaab took it over in September 2010 and confiscated its broadcasting equipment. Now al-Shabaab broadcasts its own Radio Andulus, which is based mainly in Kismayo and Marka.