by Robleh Mohamud Lafcanbe
February 20, 2014
Recently, Universal TV aired a comedy sketch of President Silanyo in a
show titled “Faaliyaha Qaranka”. Subsequently, the Minister of
Information of Somaliland held a press conference condemning Universal’s
actions and revoked their operating license in Somaliland.
Universal TV and journalism organizations have claimed that the clip
was merely a joke and should not be taken seriously and have criticized
the government’s stance. On the other hand, the people of Somaliland
feel that this was a direct insult towards the President and the country
as a whole.
Which argument seems reasonable and was it just a harmless comedy sketch as they claim?
Clearly, the sketch of President Silanyo was below the belt and more
than just a harmless comedy sketch. The clip tried to portray the
President as an ineffective aging leader who cannot run his government.
Universal TV disrespected President Silanyo as a democratically elected
leader and as a Somali Elder.
Universal and journalism organizations claim that this type of
journalism takes place often in the western world and should be
accepted. Indeed it is accepted, but one must understand that Western
culture and Somali culture are completely different. To argue such point
would also mean that they are also welcoming of many acts of the
western world that go against the cultural and religious beliefs of
Somali people. There are many things that are a part of Western culture –
that I don’t have to name - that go against the cultural and religious
beliefs of Somali’s. If its disrespectful comedy sketches today, then we
will eventually see lies/scandals and damaging stories that are
inflicted upon Somali leaders.
The clip also underlyingly displayed Somaliland as a federal state of
Somalia. Ahmed Madobe of Jubaland and Abdirahman Faroole of Puntland
were similarly made fun of on different occasions while the President of
Somalia has yet to appear on the program. Why did the Mogadishu-based
Universal TV poke fun at President Silanyo before their own President?
Clearly it seems that they view Somaliland and its political system
equal to that of Jubaland State and Puntland State. That itself is
another reason why Universal deserves its ban as they disrespected the
views and beliefs of the Somaliland people – 23 years as an independent
nation.
I strongly believe that every media organization has the right to run
independently and for journalists to feel safe and practice their
profession freely. But I don't agree with journalists and media
organizations that practice unethical journalism and partiality.
Local Somaliland TV stations such as Horn Cable TV have never
directed any shots towards the leaders of Somalia – what gives a TV
Station from Somalia the right to poke fun at Somaliland and then expect
to operate within its boundaries?
I was born and raised in the western world and what I saw from that
clip, clearly goes against Somali values and is not something that
should be condoned in Somali politics, specifically in Somaliland.
As for the CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists) and other
journalism organizations such as NUSOJ (National Union of Somali
Journalists), instead of blindly defending these journalists, they
should train their members on how to be professional and ethical
journalists. CPJ and NUSOJ only appear when a journalist is in trouble
but do nothing to prevent their journalists from putting themselves in
these situations.
Universal TV has opened Pandora’s Box and their cries of oppression
and injustice hold no basis. The ban against the TV Station was the
result of their bad judgement and unethical practices. I strongly
believe that the stance of the Government of Somaliland is appropriate
and just. Universal TV should swiftly retract their stance on this issue
and hold responsibility for their actions if they want to repair their
image with the people and Government of Somaliland.
The author of this article can be reached at robleh.m@gmail.com or on Twitter @RM_Laf
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