I am glad I had a chance to ask a question which prompted the mayor to act on it.
Set up eight months before the presidential election, the project aims to increase political engagement among ordinary people and encourage better government.
The project produces audience-driven TV programmes where the studio audience raise issues important to their communities, giving many an opportunity to communicate directly with the government for the first time.
A weekly radio talk-show is broadcast across Somaliland, addressing accountability and enabling audiences to engage in constructive dialogue with district and national power-holders.
And a weekly interactive radio programme is broadcast nationally on the 大象传媒 Somali Service and Radio Hargeisa. It is supported by a that broadens the debate and gives those in remote areas a chance to access government officials.
The project has inspired people across Somalia and Somaliland to engage with those in power, people like Bilan Mohammed Abdi in Burao, Somaliland. She said 鈥淚 have always looked forward to meeting my Mayor face to face and asking him issues regarding sanitation in our city. This programme gave me that opportunity and I am glad I had a chance to ask a question which prompted the mayor to act on it鈥�.
The project is based on insight from a research project carried out in Berbera and Sheikh in Sahil Region of Somaliland in 2015 which looked at which media interventions could best generate and sustain accountability in the region.
Project information
| Project name | Accountability and the Information Economy in Somalia Phase II project |
| Funder | DFID through Mott Macdonald |
| Dates | March 2017-May 2018 |
| Themes | Governance |
| Outputs | 20 TV debate prgramme, 40 regional radio programmes, 40 national programmes, social media content |
| Broadcast partners | 大象传媒 Somali Service, Radio Hargeisa and Horn Cable Television |
Our projects in Somalia
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'Hello hope': Why COVID-19 communication is critical in Somalia
Learn more about our work with media and communication to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Somalia. -
Radio to encourage women's economic empowerment in Somalia
Through engaging radio and training, 大象传媒 Media Action is supporting women across Somalia to understand their economic rights and thrive in both the formal and informal labour markets. -
'Towards a desired goal鈥�: building democracy in Somalia
After decades of civil war, Somalia has struggled to establish inclusive, peaceful and democratic political processes. Our national radio magazine programme, Gole Joog (鈥楲et鈥檚 Gather and Discuss鈥�) is building bridges between communities and encouraging civic participation. -
Helping people in Somaliland hold their leaders to account
Radio and TV debate shows are helping people in Somaliland learn more about how to hold those in power to account -
A lifeline for people affected by drought in Somalia
Communication is a vital form of humanitarian aid so we've teamed up with the 大象传媒 Somali Service and Radio Ergo to help people survive, cope and recover. -
Inspiring young people through radio drama
A weekly interactive radio drama, Maalmo Dhaama Manta, supports young Somalis to explore their opportunities and the obstacles they face.
