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departments, which could help owners generate the income they need to invest in staff. One
participant did note, however, the importance of training the business community on the
benefits of media advertising. Participants also ranked as a low priority the need to change
hiring processes, in particular, the need to hire staff based on knowledge rather than clan
affiliation or networks.
Enabling Environment
Legal Framework/Licensing, Regulation, Self-Regulation
Lastly, within the category of the enabling environment, participants ranked highest the need to
change the existing media law, and the importance of media stakeholders uniting as part of this
process. Participants believed that on the whole they have freedom, but that the legal
framework needs to be completed. Among the medium priority areas under this category fell
issues such as accrediting journalists, establishing discipline committees, and protecting
journalists through training for police and other institutions.
Priority Opportunities for International Support
In the Somaliland media sector, there is a disconnect between some of the more startling bigger-
picture issues – an incomplete legal framework, the lack of private radio stations, the closure of
selected outlets – and the almost universal focus on the part of interviewees and strategy
workshop participants on improving professional skills. To a degree, some of these issues are
closely linked: greater professionalism on the part of journalists could help defend against
government fears and resulting efforts to control media outlets. A sole focus on professional
skills, however, would neglect the degree to which each piece of the puzzle is related to one
another, and would ignore the importance of taking a more holistic approach towards improving
the climate for the benefit all key players – the media, the government and the public. Towards
this goal, recommended opportunities for support include the following:
Opportunity 1: Support efforts to advance legal clarity by promoting an inclusive drafting
process.
The implementation of a sound legal framework remains necessary to provide the basic
foundation for the development of media in Somaliland. Ideally, such a framework would
provide for an equitable balance between public and private media, including independent
regulatory bodies that would help protect both from undue government interference. A fair
drafting process would include input from all interested parties – including media themselves as
well as civil society – and allow for public discussion. Assistance in this direction would need
to fully understand and coordinate with recent efforts towards legal reform.
Opportunity 2: Provide in-depth training and on-the-job mentoring to improve the level of
professionalism of journalists and media outlets, including advanced training to create a
cadre of local experts.
Short-term, off-site seminars would be insufficient to provide the substantial changes that need
to take place in order to significantly improve the level of professionalism within the
Somaliland media. The most effective training would be a tailored combination of methods
