Somaliland
Universal Television banned from Somaliland
October 6, 2010 · 38 Comments
HARGEISA (Somalilandpress) — Somaliland new administration has temporarily froze cooperation with Universal Television, which is based in London. Somaliland Minister of communication, Mr. Abdilahi Jama Osman ordered Universal Television to stop all of its operations in Somaliland starting today. This order came in press release from ministry of communication and press.
It is not clear the reason behind this abrupt decision. In the press release, Mr. Abdilahi Jama Osman accused Universal Television of biased converges of issues related to Somaliland politics. He said the Universal TV has continuously portrayed Somaliland in poor light and does not balance coverage of opposing sides. He added that Universal TV management did not respond to phone calls and clarifications requests from his ministry. The Minister didn’t give out specifics why he reached this decision at this time.
Many analysts have contributed this move by the Somaliland government, to how Universal Television has covered the militant group SSC (Sool, Snaang and Cayan.) Somaliland government has been uncomfortable with Universal TV extended coverage of SSC activities in Eastern parts of the country.
Somalilandpress was not able to reach Universal Television for comments.
Universal Television is the largest and most popular Somali channels. It is based in the UK and it covers most of the regions and Somali Diaspora in Europe and Northern America.
This is not the first time Universal TV faced disapproval in Somaliland. The TV station was subject o public anger over comments made by Universal TV host and his guest on a talk show. During the show Universal TV guest went on insulting Somaliland people without interruptions from the host. That incident created a large online campaign in Somaliland to boycott Universal TV.
SomalilandPress | October 5th, 2010
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I think the decision to ban Universal TV from Somaliland is incorrect. Whilst a reaction like this may serve to highlight the sentiments of the population of Somaliland against the channel, I feel that it must only be temporary and a dialogue should soon follow to ensure that the channel provides honest and unbiased coverage of issues affecting both Somaliland and Somalia. One of the things Somaliland is most proud of is the freedom given to the press to air their views, and in a democracy like ours this right must not be taken away.
Finally, well done and congratulate to Mr. Abdilahi Jama Osman for your tough decision. I hope Universal TV will be banned forever from Somaliland.
Well done for taking the Universal Television off the air in Somaliland. I have never enjoyed watching the Universal TV as its coverage is completely biased. I am not quite sure whether their staff are real journalists with recognised qualifications or they are a gang of people who want to enrich themselves.
Either way congratualitions for this actions.
This is such a wrong decision by the Kulmiye administration. What happened to their promise that the freedom of the media would be respected if they came to power? As a Somalilander, I admire Universal TV for their efforts to bring to us the news from Somaliland, Somalia, and beyond, and should not be harrassed like this.
I coudln't disagree more with you Abraham.
Lets know something for real that insulting people on TV and creating frictions and hostility is not what I know about the Fair media and this Action really comes on time as Universal TV was serving its Agenda only.
Abraham, you're totally wrong and missed the point – Universal TV does not bring any news from Somaliland except baseless propaganda that's why they've been banned from the country and righly so! one other thing; STOP calling yourself a Somalilander because you're not.
It was indeed a pleasure to hear such a great news, It should have occurred long time ago. well done and congratulation
It's about time, I can't stand Universal tv it such ain-Somaliland bad news, thank u minister, well done.
I disagree. Banning a TV station because you don't agree with their opinion is suppression of free press. If the minister thinks he don't get enough coverage on Universal TV, why doesn't he (or the government) establish own TV Satellite and spend all the time he wants to get his message through?
Free press yes, but not insults. Remember the media should behave responsibily and fairly.
This has been one of my articles about Universal during the internet campaign to boycott it :
Universal TV is adding fuel into Islamic Extremism in UK http://www.medeshivalley.com/2010/08/universal-tv…
Good job, Mr. Ali. Keep the pressure up to expose their source of funding. So that the British Government could look into their illegal activities and eventually to put them out of business.
What Mr. Hosh who is bad-mouthing our government and our decent women at Universal TV is that he is forgetting "Shangaani" and the many other bordellos, fully licensed agencies and operating under madams.
Well-done Mr. GeelJire, Universal Must Be Banned For Good
Well-done Mr. GeelJire, a hero who alw the last 20 yearsays puts Somaliland interest first. Universal is nothing but part of the confusion that bedeviled the people of former it Italian Somaliland. Its unfortunate these p wguareople to be engaged in Warlordism, gangisterim, terorism, Al-Shabab and many other bad things. Nobody knows who is fanancing so-called Universal is TV. Most of Its employees do not have journalistic traning. There are few old BBC workers, w orking there. The unexperienced staff members there waged a relentless campaign of hate and propagianda against. That may the purpose for their foundation. Terrorist Al-shabab may behind them. That was a propaganda station and was founded for a reason. One can easily understand their goals by listening to them. I commend minister Geeljire for his courgeous decision. Universal must be banned for ever. BBC and VOA Somali service must be next. It is time Somaliland cracks on its sworn enemies.
Well done i fully support this action . You hate us then move the f…. out of our country
Here is the link to the somaliland vs somalia debate that was hosted by universal. I'll let everyone be the judge. The below link will be direct you to the first part of the debate. The other parts should appear on the left hand side as links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV0MZoUX93Y&fe…
The ministry has the right to revoke license from channels spreading propaganda. The talk show earlier on brought public outcry. However, I urge the government to set up a new Tv speaking to the outiside world. It should be in English and Arabic.
well done Mr.minister this television must be brought in justice as well for their role on promoting terrorism in the hone of africa.
Well Done, Finally that bios TV Station has been banned, I really deplore what message they where trying to convey to the people and the worldwide – finally End Justifies the Means
Go for it Minister..get rid of antisomaliland sentiments.Cheers.
I would ban them entirely long time ago. This is the first thing the new administration got right. We should not allow such hate groups to operate in our country.
We need to give more rights to our local media and allow the establishment of radios.
Good job!
There are a lot of individual rights in the UK but rights come with responsibilities.
If the unviversal TV has crossed the redline then the Government of Somaliland can take it to court and seek for damages. I am pretty sure the Universal TV will then completely collapse. The Somaliland Governemnt can also sue foul mouthed individual by using UK courts. I am pretty sure that the Somaliland Government will win as these individuals are not able to defend themselves. Remember they all queue for the UK Doll.
Waxaan la yaabay qoraal walba oo halkan ku qoran waa af ingiriis,
Waxaan moodey Gobolka waqooyi galbeed iyo Universal in ay af-somali ku hadlaan.
Abdinasir Af-somali laysku afgaran waa marka waxaa loo gudbay bal
in af ingiriis laysku fahmo!. Dhanxiir baa ku daal.
Cheers.
Banning a T.V show isn't enough we need to change our language and culture stop calling ourselves somalis and then it's really over beaten us somalis.
Seriously what's the point of been part of a people that hate eachother?
Welldone wasiirka warfaafinta Mr C/laahi Geeljire.
Bravo Mr Geeljire! You finally listened to the voice of Somalilanders. We have to stick together from London to the dusty roads of Wajale. Our people in UK have urged everyone to boycot the hate spreading, un-Islamic tv.
We hope you keep it forever and kick them out of the country.
If all Universal TV does is to spread hate, war mongering and propaganda against Somaliland, shut them off the air for good. Free speech does not necessarily mean crossing the line. There is a limit for everything and there is always an action and reaction. Somalilanders have to take gloves off from now and on to defend its integrity.
Good job, Mr. Geeljire. We are behind you all the way.
They banned Universal just because it management didn't return ministery calls? It should be the people who should banned it? how, just don't watched it if you don't like it. This is signs of dictatorship, I could be wrong but administrations first start banning media then they put jails people who spoken out. Today's Universal, tomorrow it could others even Somalilandpress offices in Hargaisa.
This dude(Borama) who said they should banned BBC and others, you should first know BBC is owned by British Broadcasting Corporation and no one can get near it. Just because its employees are Somalis doen't mean these media can easily shutdown. They couldn't waited few days for Universal to response.Bad, bad move.
Ayaanle, you dont' know what you talking about because its the people themselves who have been asking for the ban for the past year or so and the minster only acted on their behalf so get your facts right.
I don't agree with the minister of information of Somali land for banning Universal TV because his reasons for this action is not clear. And if there are any complaints about a biased broadcasting, it should be corrected through understanding. Banning a news media is against freedom of expression. I am a Somali lander and I am with any media that points to the shortcomings of my country because this will help us to correct them and advance to the next right step.
mr khalid, any hamarawi can claim to be a somalilander….you mention freedom of expression….well slanders ennemis don't have any freedom of expression, we don't need their dirty biz anyway. right now our new president and his team they got a house to clean up….next faq…sh. SOAMLILAND IS BACK
Well Khalid i don't they you are a somalilander, because they think like the enemy, so stay away from us somalilanders.
Purdon my me but i meant i Don't you are a Somalilander the way you are expressing, i think you are arrogrant.
Well I think that what the New Adminstration did a terrific job of banning Universal TV, Well I think the Somali Journalist associations whether they are called who are based in Mogadishu should stay of this, because it is never if there because Universal TV was skitting on thin ice, because the government urged Universal tv to stop what they were doing but Universal tv did not listen and the faced the consequences. The Somali Journalist should stop acting arrogrant and saying anti government remarks about what the government, if they say they should be arrested or by kicked out of the country.
Hey folks
What is cooking in the Oven!.. you guys are getting crazier about
this Universal TV… wait you aren't seen anything yet…This Geejire's
new Govt. will bring you more surprises. Just give it some more time.
As far as am concerned the Univ.TV is already dealt with. Let's wait to
live through more Sl progresses coming along!.
Cheers.
well if your not base in somaliland then your not part of our media, therefor you don't share anything with us….yeah yeah we all somalis….we all know how you burn down your own house
well done! Universal T.V being banned in Somaliland was inevitable..Finally change has come