In support of free journalism
Ibrahim Mead Political analyst
Ottawa, Canada
Genuine political
opposition and responsible Media are necessary
attributes of democracy, tol erance, and trust in the
ability of citizens to resolve differences by peaceful
means. They are not monsters the government to be afraid
of! Shaky and shameless administrations are scar
ed of Media for they are not sure of themselves!
Any moral responsible government must not twist the
judiciary in their favour to scare the m edia
people and in the extreme imprison them for doing their
citizenry responsibilities; doing their work by helping
the people to know what is going on in their government.
Corrupted go vernments with dictatorial tendencies hate
the media community and therefore use corrupte d judges
to silence them. Putting in jail the Waaheem journalist
is a good example of this kind of government’s behavior
The existence of an opposition, without which politics
ceases and administration takes over, is indispensable
to the functioning of democratic political systems an
effective and responsible Opposition and Media are
essential for the success of our democracy. Since the
Executive has a major influence on whether the
Opposition and the Media can play their proper rolls in
the s ystem, it is important to focus on the
Government’s role; access to resources and information
is critical to strengthening the capability of the
Opposition and the Media and therefore to the ir
overall credibility. It should be emphasized that the
Opposition be enabled to hold the Exec utive to
account and the Media to expose that in a fair,
unprejudiced and balanced way.
It is pertinent to stress the importance of freedom of
access to the media and on the other si de, it is
incumbent upon the Media to be very responsible in
dispensing information as accurat ely as possible;
two way street here.
Guided by reason and intuition, and drawing on new
insights as well as from our past experi ence,
objective thinking is uniquely required in this time and
age in our government. Siilanyo’s administration did not
exhibit this. It showed the ugly side of things
regarding the government misuse of power to silence the
free press!
Most people believe and the law supports that believe
pertaining the importance of Media to check the
government misdeeds, and show where they are right as
well. Many recognize that the people in our democratic
Somaliland need what the media have to offer. They need
that service to be provided in a balanced and non
prejudicial way.
Siilanyo’s out-of-hand policies in which many instances
people wonder who is realy running the government are
stampeding that virtue and already misused the judiciary
to scare the young journalist who with out any
government assistance peruse their journalistic duties
to the best of their ability.
Putting this young journalist of Waaheen Media group in
prison is not only travesty of the just ice but it
is also shame where shame a shames the shame on the part
of Siilanyo’s sleep-walki ng administration
Objective criticism and serious loyal opposition is most
welcome in a true and serious democr acy, and ours
must belong there. Bad governments must be exposed, and
that is fine as far as democracy is concerned. And that
is the job of the media and the opposition parties.
Any (new) governing entity going through changes will
experience conflict. It is something cl oser to
squabbling with the media. Focusing on our
disagreements, we ignore our agreements and the big
picture, Mother Somaliland…..f!
Mr. Siilanyo, Free the young journalist of Waaheen Media
group (and any journalist for that m atter) your people
put him in jail for pursuing his duties as a media
person. Your government is moving so fast in certain
negative areas and you exceeded Riyaale in just six
months! What a disgrace, what a disappointment, what a
shame!
However peace and prayers
THE END
Ibrahim
Mead Political analyst
Ottawa, Canada
Sunday, January 23, 2011 |
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