Somaliland people need vibrant and mind-expanding journalistic debates:
By Eng. Hussein Adan Igeh (Deyr):
We live in an era in which the Digital Revolution has an incredible impact on our daily life. The Digital Technology has enabled people around the world that they can be writers, reporters, contributors and analysts without borders. In other words, we live in a global village where journalism became an activity for everyone! Additionally, it is an undeniable fact that the Digital Revolution has led to a more aggressive and brutal situation where individual and group opinion is valued more than news facts!
Somaliland is a democratic constitutional state where the press freedom and the freedom of expression are enshrined in the constitution. In that respect, Somaliland media organizations, their staff and editorial board – (at home and in abroad) – have every right to report and elucidate freely and unimpeded to all conceived and/or proven wrongdoings and unethical state of affairs in Somaliland. By doing so they are certainly defending and safeguarding the public interest which is also beneficial to all Somaliland citizens.
The media organizations from Somaliland origin (at home and in overseas) their managers, editorial staff and journalists are fully entitled to have their say and to express their views on certain political, social and economic matters freely and without hindrance. However, this must happen within the context and along the limits permitted by the Rule of Law. They cannot say inconsiderately everything they have in their minds. Their actions and statements must be always balanced and contemplated in relation to the public and country’s interest.
However, there are at the moment a lot of ethically and socially unacceptable media trends engaged by short-sighted and divisive media institutions and/or their staff members who are completely devoid of any sense of nationhood, citizenship and social responsibility. There is no a single day that goes by that we read , see and watch hate filled opinion articles, vile social media comments and outrageous YouTube clips, TV coverage and other divisive statements that upset the conscience and social values of our nation.
There is no a single day that goes by that we observe individuals that has become associated with malicious and baseless TV appearance orchestrated by primitive and unprofessional media (outlets) organizations led by greed and short-term self-interest, with exclusively one goal into their mind: to deceive and influence public opinion.
CONCLUSION:
Somaliland people deserved intellectually well-constructed media debates that exemplify practical importance of our nation’s unity, citizenship and civic duties. Somaliland people need far-sighted and inspirational journalistic debates guided by vision, principals and context driven debates that can contribute to our common cause and social values. We need profound and valuable journalistic debates that not only combat the chronic and incurable clan mentality but also breed a sense of nationhood and citizenship among Somaliland society.
Somaliland citizens desperately need media professionals equipped with journalistic knowledge, experience, competence and character. We need media managers, editors and journalists guided by press ethics, impartiality, clear conscience, subject-related professional attitude, and among others socially acceptable behaviour. These characteristics and code of conducts will enable media organizations and their staff to serve society in a balanced, objective and adequate manner.
As Somaliland citizens, we need to adhere to the truth and integrity of the various information we receive every day. We must be very careful to not being trampled by fabrication, fake news, over exaggerated and baseless speculations. We must keep in mind that TRUTH will serve us more in our common goals to establish a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Somaliland.
ALLAH bless and protect the people and country of Somaliland,
Eng. Hussein Adan Igeh (Deyr).
Hargeisa, the Republic of Somaliland.