Hargeisa, North Western State of Somalia (Horn Observer) – In a calculated and contentious decision, North Western State of Somalia’s Ministry of Information has officially rescinded the broadcasting license of Universal TV, a well-known Somali news outlet based in the UK. This move, conveyed in a detailed communiqué to the public prosecutor, has sparked widespread debate and fueled concerns about media freedom in the region. Could this be a strategic attempt to silence dissenting voices that dare to question governmental narratives?
Universal TV has been accused by the authorities of undermining North Western State of Somalia’s “sovereignty and existence,” a grave charge indeed. The revocation of the broadcaster’s license is said to stem from an alleged breach of a prior agreement with the North Western State of Somalia government. “As of today, 12 February, 2025, after carefully studying how blatantly Universal TV violated the sovereignty and existence of North Western State of Somalia, we have withdrawn their operating license in North Western State of Somalia,” stated a spokesperson from the Ministry of Information with a steely resolve. But is this a genuine protection of state interests, or merely a guise for censorship?
In the annals of North Western State of Somalia’s media landscape, this is hardly an isolated incident. The region has perpetuated a systematic clampdown on media outlets over the years. Through stories shared by local journalists, tales of midnight detentions and stifling of press freedom echo loudly. An elder journalist once recounted the time when dissent was a silent word, yet today it seems, history may be repeating itself as North Western State of Somalia’s quest for international recognition continues.
The catalyst for this punitive measure was a recent report broadcasted by Universal TV titled “The Somali government has given an unexpected response to the abusive step taken by the United Arab Emirates government.” This report delved into the UAE’s invitation to North Western State of Somalia’s President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, to attend the World Government Summit in Dubai from the 11th to the 13th of this month. The summit, a grand convergence attended by global leaders from over 30 countries, focused on topics pivotal to our future—global economic development, the essence of good governance, and the marvels of modern technology.
However, it is not just the global matters that are stirring interest, but rather the underlying tensions of regional politics that whisper through the airwaves. How often do such international convocations serve as the stage for unspoken political dialogues?
A deeper scrutiny of North Western State of Somalia’s legal framework reveals a more grim facet. The primary tool used for media regulation is the outdated penal code inherited from Somalia. This archaic code continues to haunt journalists with threats of legal harassment, imprisonment, or outright banning. Ahmad, a local journalist whose pseudonym masks his identity, likened the legal landscape to a “noose tightening ever so slowly around the neck of free expression.”
Given this backdrop, one must pause to ponder: is the present action merely fodder for an old narrative—the age-old tussle between authority and the freedom to speak? Or is there yet hope for a middle ground, where truth is neither stifled nor belittled, but rather embraced as the robust companion it is meant to be?
For the broader community, these events unfold with a persistent note of irony. While technology and innovation promise a more interconnected and informed world, certain regions find themselves locked in a dance with history, where modernity is juxtaposed against the chains of antiquarian laws. Isn’t it curious, though, how progress in some areas seems to run parallel to regression in others?
One would hope for a future wherein voices, regardless of their resonance or silence, are assured the sanctuary of expression. It’s a dream that stands on the precarious edge of reality in places like North Western State of Somalia, urging for a wakeful defiance against the encroaching shadows of suppression.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
