Talk Mogadishu
49m
Directed by Judy Jackson • Documentary • 2003 • 50 minutes
A decade after the disastrous US humanitarian intervention in Somalia, HornAfrik, the first independent TV and radio station in war-ravaged Mogadishu, was established by three brave Somali-Canadians in the face of chaos and devastation. Their vision was to forge a path to peace through freedom of expression, impartial news, and debate. The station's talk shows have become incredibly popular, providing a unique way for Mogadishu's marginalized residents, including women's groups and human rights advocates, to speak out without being silenced.
It is a venture not without danger; HornAfrik has been attacked more than once by angry warlords displeased with the station's content. Despite the perils, the founders of HornAfrik continue their broadcasts, creating a blueprint for the role of the media in times of conflict.
"Highly recommended...HornAfrik continues its effort to rebuild Somalia by encouraging the free exchange of ideas and national reconciliation. It has become a model for using media to promote peace in a society actively involved in civil war... [Talk Mogadishu] is well paced and engaging." Thomas J. Beck, University of Colorado, Denver, Educational Media Reviews Online