BRAVO: The BBC Somali Service Team

[Taleexi]

BRAVO: The BBC Somali Service Team

 

By Adrian Baldwin

 

I’m a Dutch national who worked and extensively traveled throughout Somalia, South to North, between 1994 and 1998. During my residence, I made many good friends, some of whom I still maintain regular contacts through the Internet. I have developed a hobby and nostalgia to browse Somali websites to update myself of the progresses made in the town and villages I once worked.

 

At that time, I realized how vital the BBC Somali Service was to the lives of the Somali people. I observed men throng at teashops around 5:30 p.m. to catch their daily dose of local and world news, from their favorite and, of course, only reliable source. Somalis recognize the significance of keeping this important service and had previously appealed against a decision to close the Service.

 

However, I’m baffled by the continued attack, somewhat personal in nature, on the BBC Somali Service team and particularly its chief editor by few Somali websites, most notably Allpuntland, Wardheernews, Allwadani, and Idamaale. It is hard to digest the daily slanders heavily rained on its editor, a man I personally met and have a great respect for; a man who is genuine and sincere and has taken the Service into a commendable level appreciated by those who really depend on their daily world news. I have met Mr. Garad in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2003 and we had a very good conversation. There are things he talked about which included improving the Service even higher to make one of the best African programmes in the BBC World Service.

 

I was stunned to read statements like: “close the BBC relay antennas in Puntlandâ€, and begging others to follow suit to close down all BBC relay centers in that country. I asked myself the question of who will lose if the antennas are brought down. I understand that the webmasters of the afore-mentioned websites reside in Europe or North America. I also recognize that these webmasters have the luxury to choose between hundreds of radios and television stations anytime of the day or night and that they don’t need the thirty minute news time that the masses in Somalia cherish to listen. The losers in this case will be the millions living in remote villages and towns in a country that doesn’t have proper mass media such as radios and television.

 

Then I took the trouble to investigate why these websites where so critical of this marvelous man and his team? My findings of the reason behind the continuous insults, some of which are dehumanizing, against the chief editor and his team is beyond belief.

 

First, I established the fact that ALL the above-mentioned websites are either edited or owned by people from Puntland. Secondly, I also found out that ALL these websites are pro-Abdullahi Yusuf government. Here is then where the problem lies:

 

These webmasters wished the BBC to be the mouth piece of the interim president’s government and promote his policies. Unfortunately, when the chief editor asserted the neutrality and independence of the Service from the Somali politics, they decided to destroy his character and dedicated team that work so hard in the most difficult of circumstances. Their motive is to tarnish Mr. Garad’s character in order to persuade the World Service programme editors to dismiss him or demote him. Their means are to continually publish articles, interviews and lies against this good man and his team. And their objective is to get away with murder by knowingly lying and discrediting this highly professional individual and seeking his head. The World Service understands your motives and may not replace Mr. Garad with one of your kin. At least in the West, it doesn’t work that way.

 

It is worth mentioning that this act is not part of Somali culture or puritan Islamic code of conduct. It is as I understand, after research and years of experience in Somalia, based purely on clan difference and hatred. These are accusations intended to cause maximum damage not only to character assassinate the lead editor but the good men and women who so tirelessly provide unbiased first hand news from the world’s leading news agency, The World Service.

 

Behold! Clan loyalty in Somali is so sacred that one will not hesitate to kill or hurt fellow citizen without giving a thought in its name. The clan is the Satan that the Somalis worship and where Satan rules, humans are subjugated to perform every undignified act without asking questions. No amount of reason will explain why these websites are so obsessed to dehumanizing a fellow human being. Clan fanaticism is the lowest points a human being can reach.

 

A piece of advice to these websites, please don’t attack, insult or humiliate someone or some people who are so dedicated to serving your community. Please stop seeking the destruction of the Somali Service, because millions depend on it. Please understand that the Service is an independent entity and no one can influence how it works. Please stop acting as INTERNET WARLORDS who terrorize their victims in every home and internet café. Please stop the continual character assassination of the highly qualified chief editor, who as many Somalis put it, is considered the best ever editor the Somali Service has ever had.

 

Finally, I would like to strongly commend on the excellent job that the Somali Service team is doing. I congratulate you all for the professionalism, reliability and accuracy of the news that you provide to Somali populations who rely solely on your hard work and dedication. Very well done all!

 

Adrian Baldwin

The Hague, Netherlands

E-mail: adrian.baldwin@yahoo.com

 

 

source:hiiraan.com

[Taleexi]

A Dutch citizen, Mr. Adrian Baldwin a self declared advocator of the present BBC Somali service warlord

 

By Ali Osman Samater

 

Assuming that Mr. Baldwin is a Dutch citizen who worked and intensively traveled to Somalia as he claims between 1994 and 1998, the BBC Somali service was perhaps or at that time not under the present “chief editor†as he titled him. However and at that same time, Mr. Baldwin admits that he met the “chief editor†of the BBC Somali section sometime in 2003 perhaps during the Somali peace and reconciliation conference in Kenya, Nairobi. It is very logic and understandable that Mr. Baldwin developed like many other European experts a close relationship with the Somali people and the country where he worked 4 years long. Apart from the time differences in world, it is also true that Somalis listen to the BBC Somali service since the beginning of the Somali services in the BBC. This is because the BBC was known to the Somalis as a liberal and independent Radio but since your favorite editor is responsible for the Somali section in the BBC things has changed dramatically. The BBC Somali section became a propaganda section for the criminal warlords of Mogadishu. This can proofed by the daily propaganda news that the BBC Somali section fabricates without any journalistic ethic. Every genuine Somali know today that the BBC Somali service is literally part of the Somali conflict. They create problems through their Bias, irresponsible and manipulated reports about the Somali conflict. However I was surprised to read that our Dutch European expert stands and defends someone who simply told him his version about the huge and nation wise protest against the warlord in the BBC Somali service.

 

That is far beyond the well known critical thinking of a Western citizen because to make a fair judgment on a given subject one must make an intensive research on the different side of the issue and that is categorically missing in the article of Mr. Adrian alias Baldwin. In the contrary and strange enough Mr. Baldwin is attacking some Somali Webs and insults Somalis whom he might not even know and perhaps never talked to about their parment criticism on the BBC propaganda as a clan motivated internet warlords. In addition to that and surprisingly Mr. Baldwin is saying without scruple that the major target of the critics is to turn the BBC Somali service into Abdullah Yusuf Propaganda center. Following that, that statement implies that our Dutch citizen understands the Somali language, the Somali conflicting clan diversity as well as its conflicting contradictions. If not so, the crucial question is who explains or translates our world citizen Mr. Baldwin all the BBC news and all other manipulated live field reports of the BBC propaganda Somali section. I assume that Mr. Baldwin is either misinformed or his statement has certain private opportunistic back ground because as Dutch citizen he must know that even in the Nederland people sometimes democratically protest against a TV report or documentation no matter how right or wrong but nobody insult them for their personal view. As a genuine Somali from Awdal Region and all other Somalis who criticize the BBC ethic free Somali service have every right to do so with out being insulted. For your information and those who are carrying the real responsibility of the BBC, this is the first in the history of the BBC Somali service that thousands and thousands of genuine Somalis are protesting against the civil war creating propaganda machinery of the BBC Somali services in Bush House.

 

Again for your general information, the very recent and impudent Chapter of the BBC propaganda is the newly nominated 64 so-called Banadir Council. Couple of months ago the TFG Mogadishu Warlord fraction launched a campaign packed by the BBC Somali service to remove all barricades from the streets of the ex-Somali capital so that the TFG as whole can operate in Mogadishu. Nevertheless, day in day out the BBC Somali section reported about that perverse show and Mogadishu remained today the biggest obstacle of the Somali peace. Without asking any critical question to the warlords, the BBC is again part of the new cheap political maneuver of the Mogadishu warlords. The BBC Somali section warlord gives unlimited propaganda air time to those who are not totally interested in finding peace solution for the Somali people and our people are undisputable severing under the criminal law of the war lords in Mogadishu.

 

Mr. Baldwin I fully agree with you as you fantastically expressed that “clan fanaticism is the lowest point a human being can reach†sorry to say this. Your favorite and BBC Somali services editing warlord is literally honorable member of that spices. He became an Editor of the BBC Somali service in the darkest days of our nation and he could have become a Somali hero (For example, instead of Good morning Vietnam he could have said good morning Somalia) but instead of that he preferred to become what you called correctly a primitive clan fanatic.

 

Advice to you and your fellow Editor, Please Mr. Baldwin inform yourself about the Somali drama from all sides and do not mix your perhaps personal interest and the national interest of the severing Somali people. That is not fair .To your fellow friend and BBC Somali service editing warlord, many Somalis are lead today by their clan warlords and are seriously severing a destructive clan virus infection, therefore it could be a liberal and progressive BBC Somali services that can contribute to the healing of our poor people and the sick intelligencer of the nation. Otherwise it is time and advisable that the Directors of the BBC Somali service makes the way free for a new start in the interest of their Somali listeners and the peace in Somalia.

 

Ali Osman Samater

E-mail: Osmansamater@Yahoo.com

[QabiilDiid]

Hi, I am wondering if you guys have audio difficulties listening to ina garaad’s radio? For several days, the realplayer minute counter is running but there is no iota of sound bites coming out from this colonial radio. Mind you, I have no problem listening to the other Somali radios available in the cyber world with the realplayer’s free version!!

 

Any technical help and/or suggestion is highly appreciated…

[Dhubad.]

I do experienced the same problem and I couldn't figure it out what is causing the problem. I have even tried on their website but no joy.

 

Any help will be appreciated.

[QabiilDiid]

Originally posted by Dhubad:

I do experienced the same problem and I couldn't figure it out what is causing the problem. I have even tried on their website but no joy.

 

Any help will be appreciated.

Dhubad, I exposed the problem and you seconded and now, it is working, guys. The problem was theirs. Either they had a technical problem or ina garaad intentionally screwed up something.

[Allamagan]

Yes its back. But I wonder how the

BBC somali took them five long days

to even find out that there is a

proplem at their end?

 

 

am

[Yeniceri]

First, I established the fact that ALL the above-mentioned websites are either edited or owned by

people from Puntland

. Secondly, I also found out that ALL these websites are

pro-Abdullahi Yusuf

government.

Cajiib. Wixii xunba Xaawa leh horaa loo yiri.

 

I suppose these following websites which have published articles critical to BBC Somali Section editor Yusuf Garaad are all owned or edited by "people from Puntland" and are, in fact, "pro-Abdullahi Yusuf" government websites. Let us see the truth in such a statement:

 

Same article appears on following websites (but only one website is picked on by the Dutchman):

 

Midnimo Information Center

 

AllPuntland.com

 

WardheerNews.com

 

AllGedo.com

 

Other articles:

 

SomalilandNet.com

Somaliland Times

 

 

Websites defending BBC Yusuf Garad:

 

Goobjoog.net

 

HobyoNet.com

Geeska Afrika

 

Mudulood Page

 

Thank Allah that we have online access to: Radio Banadir, HornAfrik, SBC Radio, Radio Daljir, Radio Horyaal, amongst others.

[Dhubad.]

HornAfrik Radio has tendency of broadcasting baseless information some times. For example, just last week it reported that there was a fight erupted in Cabudwaq which has caused a lot of casualties, which in fact was baseless, and they never apologise for their misleading information.

 

I have also came across another a legation in which the Islamic courts in Mogadishu were complaining about HornAfrik and how they report misleading news. So I guess you shouldn’t include this Radio to the list of good Radios/websites out there.

 

Personally though, I think the finger pointing to the BBC and its editor is not fair and is politically motivated. Therefore, this accusation has nothing to do with the ways in which the BBC is administrated or the way Mr. Grad handles his work in that matter.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Originally posted by Yeniceri:

Same article appears on following websites (but only

one website

is picked on by the Dutchman):

 

Midnimo Information Center

 

AllPuntland.com

 

WardheerNews.com

 

AllGedo.com

 

Other articles:

 

SomalilandNet.com

Somaliland Times

Add the chorus of critizing for critic's sake baidoa.com. I remember that website complaining BBC doesn't have a reporter in Baydhabo and relies heavily Xasan Bariise in Xamar. Apparently, it listened and trained a local wariye from there now. Are they satisfied? No.

 

It is a known fact, however, BBC cannot afford to have every degmo to have a wariye of its own. That is impossible. Another popular dacaayad is that Yuusuf Garaad wuxuu u janjeeraa dhanka Muqdisho wing and doesn't kowtow to C/llaahi Yuusuf Axmed.

 

The third allegation made by his fiercest opponents is: Since he is a shareholder in HornAfrik Media Inc., he might have a conflict of interest.

 

Maybe or maybe not.

 

Don't forget to add waagacusub.com to that list too. That site is run by a paranoid who had apparently never heard what libel is, fabricating bogus after bogus stories, some unbelievable. That webmaster has a personal grudge against Yuusuf Garaad because Yuusuf sub-clan uu ka dhashay ayuu aad u necebyahay.

 

What all of this tells us is, in fact, Yuusuf Garaad is on the right tract, if every tribal section's falaar aiming at him.

 

I have my own personal opinion about that broadcast. I don't listen to it that much, but I honestly believe Yuusuf Garaad had done much to it than his predecessor, C/llaahi Xaaji.

 

He expanded the organization, broadcasting three times a day, including one full hour. He diversified the place, currently boasting the most diverse staff ever. He added other programs that deal taboo topics and social issues.

 

And when he personally interviews qabqabliyaasha, he reserves them the most harsh questions. Before he came around, they used to think it was their right place of free publicity to advertise their tribal beliefs without expecting tough questions. They are now shy to even want to be interviewed by him.

[Gabbal]

What all of this tells us is, in fact, Yuusuf Garaad is on the right tract, if every tribal section's falaar aiming at him.

Not necessarily. So much criticism from all sides must mean there is something wrong. The difference background of the criticizing groups coupled with the lack of diversity in his supporting fanbase just highlight that even more.

 

 

p.s. Cabdulaahi Xaaji hada halkee buu ku haray?

[Xoogsade]

I did some googling and found out some indirect reference to garaad's tribe but nothing clear. An article in Allpuntland was telling really as the writer was accusing Garaad to be a murderer and supporting his murderous clan through bbc.

 

In any case, he shouldn't appease anyone as long as he is doing his job professionally. Soomaalida haddaadan isku qabiil ahayn, qofka ku heystana diin aannu lahayn, diintiisana qabiilkiisa tahay, eed lagama waayo, lithalik, maba ahan inuu isku shiddeeyo ka hoos qaad uu ka hoos qaado wixii qabiil ka duul ah. The prospects of him losing his job is slim. I wouldn't be surprised if the BBC hired the somali journalists from across the somali communities. I also hope when they lodge a claim against Garaad, others speak on his behalf and inform the management of what they think of Garaad's integrity.

 

Gaaladiibaaba baratay soomaalida oo mar marka qaar markii la is dacweeyo, they have to ensure it is NOT one tribe against the other. We introduced our primate mentality of clanism to them. It doesn't get any lower than that and others out of their grace, have tried to accomodate somalis as much as they could.

[Gabbal]

^Introvert indeed.

 

Xoog, what do you think about the diverse backgrounds of the criticizing groups and the similarity of background for the majority of his fanbase?

 

Before Yusuf Garaad, it was Cabdulahi Xaji that presided over the radio. The BBC was then still the premier radio broadcast for Somalis worldwide without any criticism or objections concerning its integrity or credibility. After close to century on air, it all changed with Yusuf Garaad. You cannot say all those different sections of the Somali race that expressed criticism are attacking him simply because of his sub-clan.? Maybe since the majority of his fanbase are composed of his clan, have you ever thought that they might be defending him because of that?

 

Either way what you are saying is not entirely feasible and mentioning the magic AllPuntland card wont change facts. From Somaliland to Baydhabo, the man is clearly being criticised and it is primarily because of him (as the chief-editor) that the BBC Somali section, after close to a century on the air, is relagated to being a second-class radio in terms of audience. Out of frusteration listeners have resorted to independent radios and that is something that cannot be denied nor ignored. Come again, sir?

[Xoogsade]

Kashanre, It is not bad to support a man if he is on the right regardless of him being a member of your clan or not. Your support will be percieved tribal by others at any rate, however, if you have the decency to support any other somali man whose credibility is solid according to your own judgement(warlords must be discounted), why can't you offer the same support to a fellow somali who happens to be a member of your clan? By him being a member of your clan doesn't keep you away from siding with the truth as it stands. As long as the man people are supporting is not a known criminal, a warlord of any kind, or controversial figure whose ignorance is proven, there is nothing wrong with supporting a fellow somali and side with him against aggressive onsluaght because of percieved injustices he has done to some corrupted man or entity. For all I am aware, Somalis here in North Ameria accuse each other of tribal bigotry and work to oust a community leader here and there just because he is not one of them.

 

As for me mentioning Allpuntland website, I typed "Garaad" and "His clan" into a search engine. A two page result was generated and none of them provided clear roots clanwise for him except Allpuntland which had an article shamelessly accusing the guy to be supporting his warlords in Xamar and insinuating his guilt by association. Any naive person can conclude then who Garaad's Clan might be from there on.

 

It doesn't matter if my previous post changes anything or not. That is your translation of my post perhaps. I wasn't seeking anyone's change of heart.

 

And finally, didn't I tell you I am a tribalist? You better believe me when I say that Kashanre You don't need to out me as one, cause, I think it is already obvious I am one

[Gabbal]

^I lost the plot in that post, but I what gathered from it was mis-communication. My post was not personal sxb and I did not expect you take it as such. I merely brought some over-looked points into Yusuf Garaad/BBC debate. Personally I don't listen to the BBC, but I do realize its importance to our people. A famous quote is "it is not as much what you do but what is said you do that matters". Ultimately, whether the case against Yusuf Garad is wrong or right, the credibility and integrity of the BBC is taking a permenant beating with all this unhealthy hype! Either Yusuf Garaad should stop dodging the very public accusations and lay ghosts to rest by defending himself or simply resign.

[Duufaan]

Garaad got lot of skills to survive for sure. He shares many similarities with moqdisho warlords. He is paranoid and very defensive. One day Moqdisho warlords will have emergency meeting for their enemy, next day firing undiscremently each other, just be friend next day with 20 civilian casualty and several house destroyed. You will probably experience same thing if you listen the BBC continuously. He belongs same category, like Dayniile and Allputland webmasters with larger public. Last week, he interviewed twice for Mohamed Dheere. He never did before, just because, it was good news for him. His very sick