Cowke Posted October 9, 2009 VOA Somali Service Permitted to Resume Operations in Puntland 9 Oct 9, 2009 - 8:13:41 AM Ministry of Information and Telecommunication Government of Puntlant State of Somalia The Ministry of Information and Telecommunication of the Government of Puntland State of Somalia has permitted the Voice of America’s Somali Service broadcasts to resume operations effective today, 9 October 2009. The decision came after discussions between the Puntland Government and various officers of the U.S. State Department, including the Somalia Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya and the VOA Director in Washington, D.C. His Excellency, the President of Puntland State, granted the VOA Somali Service to resume its news broadcasting operations in Puntland today as a good gesture to U.S. Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Michael E. Renneberger’s participation at the Puntland Diaspora Forum Conference to be held in the U.S. State of Minnesota, 10 – 12 October 2009. On 1st October 2009, FM radio stations in Puntland that re-broadcast daily VOA Somali Service programs were ordered to halt the broadcasts after elements at the VOA Somali Service headquarters in Washington failed to objectively and accurately report about Puntland affairs. This temporary ban, however, did not impact the VOA’s other programming and the FM radio stations continue to re-broadcast VOA English-language programs in Puntland. Most recently, an individual of questionable character, who falsely claimed that an office representing an armed religious cult was opened in the Puntland capital city of Garowe, was interviewed by the VOA Somali Service. That particular individual is currently in Puntland jail awaiting trial for his irresponsible conduct and baseless allegations. The Puntland Government views such controversial interviews with questionable characters as intended to incite instability by publicizing false and inflammatory remarks. The Puntland Government is committed to maintaining the systems of law and order in its territory and has been ensured by U.S. Government officials of a pending review of the VOA Somali Service editorial personnel and policy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
