Editorial
What is the state of the freedom of
the Press in Somaliland?
By
Zamzam Ahmed
Hassan
Freedom
of the state of the press in Somaliland is democratic and freely
from the government but it is not allowed to hurt human rights,
human dignity or other individual, mostly journalist in Somaliland
talks about or covers mainly political issues elections, government
officials if there is what they miss used or miss managed though the
government does not like to say something about or condemn them but
the freedom of the press force them to accept.
On the
other hand, low payment of journalist or lack of professions causes
lot of problems, they take what they called (Qabax) this is
kind of bribe, they ask money source of information this may hurt
self-respect or truthfulness of the journalist.
Furthermore, Somaliland
is devoted to the rule of law, which is upheld by mainly independent
courts. Favoritism on the basis of traditions, gender or opinion is
forbidden. Human rights abuses, such as torture, are criminal
offences. The right to protest is protected by law.
What has been happening to
journalists in Somaliland in terms of their ability to operate
freely?
Mostly nothing happens to
journalist in Somaliland in terms of their ability to operate but
this year with the arrest of four
journalists from the independent newspaper, Haatuf. They were only
released at the end of March’2007, after being under arrest for 86
days on charges of supposedly spreading false information and
offending the president. This worrying violence of press freedom
was, nevertheless, an exceptional limitation of what is nowadays a
fairly open and free media.
Opinion: What do you think about
what has been happening to journalists in Somaliland in terms of
their ability to operate freely?
In my opinion nothing has
been happening to journalists in Somaliland in terms of their
ability to operate freely because Somaliland is democratic state,
which is built by people needs so no one can ignore rules and
regulation of the state and population would not accept any
dictatorship from their government, because they still remember
previous dictatorship regime and problems caused. Somalilanders
have achieved an enviable peace;
Many of Somaliland's former clan fighters have been successfully
incorporated into the mostly well-disciplined national army. Not
like the rest of Somalia, the armed forces stay out of politics.
I can say it is not time
journalist afraid from dictatorship regime; it is time journalists
in Somaliland can develop their country and educate the people. Also
even they have to educate public officials to do right things for
their country and people who elected and remind them to be honest as
they promised before, journalist talks on be half of the population
those who don’t have access to talk to the public.
