Thankful Posted October 19, 2009 In defence of the VOA Somali Service October 6, 2009 filed under OPINION · Comments (0) Horseednet In defence of the VOA Somali Service | read this item Puntland government’s decision to suspend the reporting duties of VOA stringers in Galkacyo, Garowe and Bosaso is deplorable. In a letter signed by Deputy Minister for Information, Abdishalur Mire Adam, states the three VOA stringers — Nuux Muuse Birjeeb, Maxamed Yaasiin Isxaaq and Cabdiqaadir Maxamed Nuunow — were instructed to abide by the suspension decision from the Ministry of Information. In another letter jointly signed by the Puntland Security Minster, CabdullaahI Siciid Samatar, and Deputy Information Minster, the reasons for “prohibiting local FM radio stations” from transmitting VOA Somali Service programming are: news fabrication on “ (a) politicians who were detained in Puntland and ( b) a news item on alleged Puntland offices of Ahlu Sunna wal Jama’a,” the anti Al Shabab group fighting in middle regions of Somalia. Puntland government letters show that no attempt was made to raise the issue with VOA bosses. The VOA has editorial guidelines that guide the work of every VOA journalist. It will not be surprising if one concludes that Puntland government decision is aimed at censoring the work of the Puntland based journalists who may be forced to seek clearance for any stories they wish to file for the news organisations and agencies they work for. Even if the VOA Somali Service reporters failed to fact-check their sources or allowed themselves to be used as a mouth-piece, the manner in which Puntland government has dealt with VOA stringers shows inability to handle ‘negative’ news coverage about Puntland. Adde Muuse’s administration used to rebut allegations by using a press release. Puntland Government ought to rethink its approach to the media. Liban Ahmad E-Mail: Libahm@gmail.com ------------------------------------------------ VOA Somali Service Violates the Broadcaster’s Journalistic Code 17 Oct 17, 2009 - 11:28:17 PM Garoweonline The VOA Somali service stringer’s report ( Somalida ku nool Uganda posted on VOA Service’s website, October 12) on the Somali owned businesses in Uganda was an interesting but unbalanced report. It shows how stringers can violate VOA journalistic code (un)wittingly. The VOA Somali Service stringer, Xasan Fanax, anonymously quoted a group of Somali business people whom the Kampala Mayor told that Somalis are the second business community in terms of paying more business tax compared to other communities. The stringer did not check the veracity of the quote from the “the Somali business people”. This oversight is a violation of the VOA code on sourcing: “ VOA news and programming must be rigorously sourced and verified. VOA normally requires a minimum of two independent (non-VOA) sources before any newswriter, background writer, political affairs writer, correspondent, or stringer may broadcast information as fact in any language” The VOA Somali Service stringer introduced ‘Cabdiraxmaan Foodcade’ as a Somali business man from Australia. In another segment of the report Cabdiraxmaan Foodcade is introduced as Bakaal Money Transfer representative in Kampala, giving the impression that the whole report was PR exercise for a money transfer company. The stinger did not interview any other business person nor had the VOA Somali Service editors checked the content of the report against the VOA journalistic code particularly the accuracy and balance code which states: “Accuracy and balance are paramount, and together, they are VOA's highest priority. Accuracy always comes before speed in VOA central service and language programming. VOA has a legal obligation to present a comprehensive description of events, reporting an issue in a reliable and unbiased way.” Are VOA Somali Service’s staff members assessed on knowledge of the VOA journalistic code? If such flaws come to light how does the VOA address? It is noteworthy that the VOA Somali has become one of the major sources of information for Somalis but failure to ensure the public broadcaster’s journalistic code is used throughout all language services can equally undermine the VOA Somali Service’s image. Liban Ahmad Libahm@gmail.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted October 19, 2009 Erm, nice comments. But is that you? Liban? Don't mind my insomnia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thankful Posted October 19, 2009 This is what I am talking about. Pay close attention to the authors name and e-mail address and especially the title of both "articles" he wrote. How can some write a piece defending the VOA on Oct 6th 2009 and then one attacking the VOA less then 2 weeks later on October 17th 1009 on the President Faroole's family run website? Where did this 180 degree turn come from. Whenever someone writes something in english that is critical of the admin, they are either: arrested, banned or paid off to write something favourable to the admin. Why would Mr. Liban Ahmed Defend VOA and then later on Garoweonline run by Presidents Farooles son, attack the service. From Radio, Internet and cartoonists all forms of critical media is slowly being suppressed here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted October 19, 2009 I can't blame the guy for his 180 degree turn. Sometimes afka akfuu eedi karaa. I sure don't know what made him turn like that but as you've mentioned, the reason has to be so serious to be make him eat his own words 2 weeks later. Not a nice predicament to put through any man - either through cajole or coercion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thankful Posted October 19, 2009 Ok so it's not just me that find this strange. I find it strange that his change happened on Garoweonline to. I wonder why he chose them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted October 19, 2009 Dunno, mate. Even if I could speculate, I'm too zonked out to reason. Lol. Marka perhaps we shall continue tomorrow when I am fresh-eyed. Hadda, I'm going to search for some indha-guduudsi. Can't stay awake and wait up for bloody guests at this ungodly hour. May the foxes devour them. Must stop! I can feel a rant-sneeze surging forth. Night. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
