Somaliland and the press law

By Ahmed Kheyre

Freedom of the press is one of the pillars of a strong, free and democratic society. However, this freedom also requires maturity. Fabrication, slander and lies don't make a free press any better or stronger. The security of the nation is paramount, but giving aid to our enemies by fabricating, miss-reporting and slandering each other is not a mark of Journalism. 

We should also bear in mind that not a single local Somaliland paper has actually seen the proposed changes, and it was only submitted to parliament last week, so let us not get ahead of ourselves.

Somaliland journalists are free to report the news, express their opinions and political ideas, but they must also show some accountability. Good journalism is about obtaining all the facts, giving each side the opportunity to state its case and then publishing with the express intend of giving the readers the chance to make up their own minds.

The Somaliland press has contributed the success and development of the country, so they must now show the same patience and not get ahead themselves. Let the elected representative of the people have their say and make the law.

Ahmed Kheyre
London