Radio network rejects Puntland radio ban

A ban prohibiting radios based in Somalia’s Puntland region from rebroadcasting content from three radios has been met with opposition from the IMS-supported radio network “Network 2013”.

The Puntland Ministry of Information issued a decree in mid-March, stipulating that ‘no radio station can reproduce or air any materials and programs of a media station that is not licensed under the Ministry’.

The ban was submitted to all media houses in Puntland and covers the rebroadcasting of content from the three radios Radio Ergo, Radio Bar-Kulan and Radio Hirad.

Ban ‘interferes’ with independence

In an open letter to the Puntland Minister of Information, the newly formed radio network “Network 2013” says members of the network in the Puntland region reject the Ministry’s ban, viewing it as ‘an attempt to interfere with their editorial independence’.

Members of the network, which include the IMS-supported humanitarian service Radio Ergo, share and rebroadcast each others’ content to reach people in Somalia’s most remote areas.

Rejecting the ban, members of the network in Puntland will continue to air programming from Radio Ergo, says the letter:

“The Radio Ergo programming is deemed to be of great benefit to the Somali public, and is rebroadcast by the 13 radios in the Network, across the Somali-speaking region.

“We look forward to receiving some clarification from the Ministry to enable the media houses and the public to be reassured.”

Serious challenges for radio

With 18 journalists killed in 2012 alone, Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Although violent incidents are decreasing, media workers still face high risks.

Many of Somalia’s radio stations struggle with inadequate finances and poor professional standards.

The 13 radio stations in ”Network 2013” works to address the challenges for the media sector by acting with a unified voice on media law issues, strengthening the capacities of journalists and media houses, and producing joint programming to promote peace, stability and development.

Background

The network’s founding members are: Radio Kulmiye; Radio Daljir; Radio Dalsan; Star FM; Codka Nabadda (Voice of Peace); Radio Iftin; Radio Mustaqbal; Codka Gobollada Dhexe (Voice of Central Region); Radio Galgadud; Codka Mudug (Voice of Mudug); Radio Hurmo; Radio Kasmo; Gool FM.

The establishment of the network was supported by IMS through its humanitarian radio service Radio Ergo, which operates out of Kenya.

Radio Ergo will function as a secretariat to the members of “Shabakadda 2013”. With daily one-hour broadcasts, Radio Ergo provides its listeners in Somalia with valuable and life-saving information on issues such as health and HIV/AIDS, education, conflict prevention, and emergencies, such as droughts and floods.

IMS supports Radio Ergo through its daughter company IMS Productions ApS with a branch office in Kenya.