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afternoon. Until 2012, its signal was restricted to the Hargeisa area; it has recently been
extended throughout most of the territory. The BBC provides Somali-focused programming
available around Hargeisa 24 hours a day, in Somali, English and Arabic. Voice of America
also broadcasts for much of the day, in Somali and English, with a slightly wider reach than the
BBC. Transmitters for both the BBC and Voice of America are based at the Ministry of
Information. A handful of outlets claim web-based broadcasting, but without any significant
content or reach.
In addition to radio, there is one government-owned television station, Somaliland National TV,
and three private stations: Horn Cable TV, Somaliland Space Channel and Bulsho TV. The
national TV station can be viewed via antenna from 6:30am – 1:00am, and via satellite 24 hours
a day. It is also available online. Horn Cable can be viewed via satellite and online 24 hours a
day, though much of the programming is broadcast on a loop. Space Channel can only be
viewed in Haregisa, Berbera, Wajale and Gabiley. Bulsho, which broadcasts from 5:00pm –
1:00am, is also only terrestrial, and limited to certain areas.
In contrast to broadcast media, there are over one dozen newspapers, including a government-
owned daily published by the Ministry of Information (estimated circulation of 400 per day).
Private newspapers include
Haatuf, Ogaal, Jamhuriya, Waaheen and
Somaliland Times
; there
are no reliable figures for circulation, but reportedly none print over 1,000 copies. As one copy
may be read by several readers, actual readership is likely much higher. There are more than
two dozen websites that provide news related to Somaliland, and are most likely read by urban-
based elites, Internet-savvy youth and the diaspora.
185
There is only one, state-owned news
agency, SOLNA.
The numerous journalist associations include the most prominent, the Somaliland Journalists
Association, as well as others such as the Somaliland Women Journalists’ Association and the
Union of Somali Journalists. There are no associations representing owners.
A handful of universities claim to offer media-related courses, but none offer a solid degree
program in journalism or media management.
Audience remains an important actor in the media sphere. According to the 2012 IRI research,
60 percent of the public follows news on topics such as government, politics, and current
events, with 45 percent doing so on a daily basis. Many stakeholders credit the public for
helping to carve out existing levels of freedom of speech, as Somalilanders are considered to be
active and engaged media consumers, and thus key allies. Though outlets do not have any
formalized mechanisms for either responding to audience needs or collecting audience input,
stakeholders do acknowledge the importance of knowing what audiences want and do seem to
value the ad hoc feedback they receive.
185
Issa-Salwe, Abdisalam M. "The Internet and the Somali Diaspora: The Web as a New Means of Expression."
Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies
6 (2006): 54-67. Print.
