Government run Somalia National TV has blocked transmission from partnering bureaus in Kenya and the UK amidst talk that the move was insitigated by Villa Somalia, a source from SNTV said
“Now we only have programming from Mogadishu only. The passowrds to transmit from Kenya and UK have been blocked” a senior producer at the station told Radio Dalsan
“In the last two weeks there was alot of monitoring with the president and PM competing to campaign” the producer said on condition of anonymity
SNTV is under the ministry of information which is under a Minister said to be allied to the President’s political camp
According to insiders the Presidentbis currently enjoying more airtime as compared to the Prime Minister
“The president has a special press team but the PM has only one reporter to cover him” the producer said.
Former Mogadishu Mayor and Presidential candidate Mohamud Tarzan has also raised concern over SNTV.
“Its run by tax payers money so we need fair coverage for all candidates”Tarzan said.
“The world is democratically developed today so there is no way Sntv can be misused by the president in his campaigns” he added.
SNTV has a large viewership in the diaspora as compared to Somalia.
Tarzan who spoke at a debate on media and elections on Universal TV accused President Hassan Sheikh of dictatorship by alleging that the head of state is misuising the government owned tv station.
President Hassan Sheikh is seen to have had a head start according to the PM camp. PM Sharmake is seen as one of the incumbent presidents toughest opponent in the coming elections.
