Somaliland and Universal TV: Was It Just a
Harmless Comedy Sketch?
By: Robleh
Mohamud Lafcanbe
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 licence in Somaliland.
Universal TV and journalism organizations have claimed
that the clip was merely a joke and sh ould 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
coun try 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 co medy sketch. The
clip tried to portray the President as an ineffective
aging leader who cann ot run his government. Universal
TV disrespected President Silanyo as a democratically
elec ted 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 belie fs of Somali’s. If its disrespectful
comedy sketches today, then we will eventually see lies/sca
ndals 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 occ asions while the President of
Somalia has yet to appear on the program. Why did the
Mogadi shu-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 disrespe cted 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 Somalil and 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 agains t 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, th ey should train their
members on how to be professional and ethical
journalists. CPJ and NUS OJ 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 ba sis. The ban against
the TV Station was the result of their bad judgement and
unethical pra ctices. 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 Somalil and.
The author of this article can be contacted at robleh.m@gmail.com
or on twitter @RM_Laf
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