BBC Somali section is a warlords' radio station.

[Camel Mlik]

The BBC Somali Service used to be the favorite radio station for the Somali speakers throughout the wold. The BBC Somali Service has now been on the air for more than half a century. The programs broadcast over the BBC Somali Service were well-liked and popular with the Somali listeners. This is because the BBC kept the Somali listeners abreast of what was happening in the world and at homeland.

 

In the past, the programs broadcast over the BBC Somali Service were interesting as well as entertaining. But today, its programs are dull, boring and tasteless. In fact, some of its programs are disgusting and even offensive. Because of this, many Somalis stay away and shun from listening to the news gathered from the home front and aired by the BBC Somali Service. The people believe the news gathered from Somalia is slanted, biased and therefore not credible. Since all things happen for a reason, the root-cause of the problem is Mr.Yusuf Garad, the head of the BBC Somali staff. Things have changed to the worst from the day he was made in charge of the station or as soon as he ascended to the throne. He at once became conceited and opinionated and consequently enraged the listeners to a great extent.

 

Mr.Garad has exposed himself as a man with ulterior motives and hidden agenda. He turned the BBC Somali Service to one-man show and private talk radio. That is why many Somalis call the station Yusuf Garad radio . He is on the side of the warlords in the south. He is fond of interviewing the ring-leaders of the criminal militias in the south as well as the secessionists in the north. He acts as the spokesman and mouthpiece of the tribal opposition groups in the south and Mogadishu in particular. Their evil actions seem pleasing to him. What is more, he is in line with the hate-mongering media in Mogadishu.

 

Previously he was a bugler and trumpeter for Arta regime. But he is now an archenemy of the TFG in Jowhar. Mr. Garad does not behave like a professional radio journalist. A good journalist respects the wishes and feelings of the listeners. He should not be influenced by personal beliefs, emotions or tribal inclinations. He should be fair and broach the subject under discussion from all perspectives.

 

It is obvious that Mr. Garad is carrying out a mission that has been entrusted to him. He utilizes the BBC Somali Service as a venue for implementing his treacherous schemes. It is save to say that the BBC Somali section is a warlords' radio station. It promotes schism and discord among the Somali people. Mr. Garad is more harm than good. The people view him as an odd person and dangerous as a sand snake. Mr. Garad was the first person from his family to become head of the BBC Somali section. This reminds me a Somali folk tale regarding a bird that carried a burning twig in its peak for the first time and then set fire to its own nest.

 

In brief, the plotters including Mr. Garad should know that they cannot frustrate the wish and will of the Somali people. With the leave of Allah, their stratagems and machinations will end in utter fiasco.

 

By Mohamed Dad

 

Mohameddad@hotmail.com

 

28 October 2005

 

 

 

 

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