Puntland directs independent media

29 Jun 2010

MOGADISHU: The Information Ministry of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland issued a statement signed by its director Yasin Adan Roble ordering all independent radio and television stations and websites in Puntland to take orders from the department.

The Ministry of Information said it will hold a meeting with independent media where every media house will reveal the programmes they air.

According to the department, independent media houses:

May only broadcast the religious programmes of Puntland clerics;
May not broadcast religious edicts against Puntland;
May not broadcast programmes from organisations and individuals which the ministry has not censored;
May not use commercials and advertisements that are against the culture of Puntlnd people;
May not broadcast news which is not based on the facts;
May not take part in political meetings against the existence of Puntland.

The ministry also called on the media houses in Puntland to participate in building the country. The 13 articles issued by Ministry of Information of Puntland also include that the news about Puntland government is always more important than the other news.

Source: National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)