Hargeysa, Somaliland, July 26, 2008 (SL Times) – The Somaliland government has closed-down the Hargeysa office of the Somali satellite television channel Universal after the network released interviews which contained criticism on how the authorities handled the riots which occurred in some parts of southern Hargeysa on July 7, 2008.
Angry demonstrators took to the streets on that day to protest the government's decision to remove a water rig equipment from their neighborhood in southern Hargeysa to another location in the western part of the country.
The protestors wanted the rig, which has been recently donated by the Abu Dhabi Red Crescent Society, to remain in their area to ensure the continuation of the drilling operations until water has been struck.
Two persons were killed while scores of others were wounded after the security forces opened fire on stone throwing youth.
The scale of the riotings and the government's excessive use of force to quell them had both shocked Hargeysites.
Riyale came under heavy public criticism for ordering the military into action against demonstrating civilians.
Although the local media was quick enough in reporting the events and their ramifications, however Universal TV 's coverage of the story was not only late but also openly distorted in favor of the government. The network was not able to convey a true picture of what was happening until it substituted its two correspondents in Hargeysa with a freelance reporter called Mohamed Aw Adan. From there on Universal was able to provide a more balanced and timely coverage of the protests which continued for 2 days.
Although other networks such as Somaliland Space Channel and Somaliland Horn Cable TV , not to mention the entire print media, were unanimous in their criticism of how Mr. Riyale handled the crisis, however the government had its own reason to be angered when Universal joined the chorus of critics.
The Somaliland Times has learnt that according to a gentleman's agreement with the Somaliland government, Universal was bound not to air any news coverage that deemed critical of Mr. Riyale.
The owner of Universal TV visited both Djibouti and Somaliland on last year to solicit funds from both Ismail Omer Gelleh and Riyale in return for a favorable coverage of the two leaders.
The network seemed to have stuck to its part of the understanding reached with the Somaliland leadership, until the events of 7-8 July unfolded.
The government took issue with Universal for broadcasting interviews with Sultan Mohamed Abdul Qadir, south Hargeysa's prominent traditional leader and Faysal Ali Warabe, chairman of the opposition Welfare and Justice Party. Both leaders accused the government of over-reacting to the protests and unnecessarily causing death and destruction in the town.
Riyale was reportedly angered by what he saw as a breach of the unwritten ‘agreement' on the part of Universal .
Universal's managers in London have already been notified by the Somaliland government of the closure of the network's office in Hargeysa.
samotalis
No comments:
Post a Comment