Frequently Asked Questions
What is Radio Horyaal?
Radio Horyaal is an independent non-profit radio that broadcasts in Somali for a short period everyday except Fridays. It's target audience is the Somali speaking community in Somaliland and the Horn of Africa. Running on a shoe-string budget, we do not have offices abroad but we have a small office in the country. Radio Horyaal is also an important link between the Diaspora community and the homeland because many Somalilanders living abroad do not get a balanced information from home. We are eager to see and we believe that Somaliland can do better and rise from the ashes to become an internationally recognized peaceful democracy. In order to achieve that we believe educating the people about the benefits of peace and democracy is our primary objective.
In what languages do you broadcast?
All our programs are recorded in Somali and are intended for the audiences in Somaliland. Our programs are also available on our web site for the Diaspora community. We are aware that not all Somalilanders speak Somali, for example some of the younger generations who live abroad do not speak Somali. Unfortunately due to shortage of funds, we do not intend to reproduce our programs in English or in any other languages for that matter. If however, any volunteers are willing undertake the challenge, we will be glad to make the programs available on our web site.
Is Radio Horyaal legally registered in Somaliland?
No. The current government has no intension of allowing independently operated radio stations in Somaliland, although there is an independent TV station. Somaliland constitution guarantees the freedom of speech and therefore our employees still work and send the programs from Somaliland with the full knowledge of the government.
Who finances the Radio?
An ideal annual operating budget for the radio would be $100,000. However, we have only been able to raise a fraction of that, in fact much less our target figure. As a result the Radio has been out of the air for several months before re-starting recently. We still need contributions from listeners to help keep the radio going and improve the quality of our programs.
Is Radio Horyaal run by volunteers. Are there paid employees?
Yes to both questions. A dozen or so volunteers have been assisting Radio Horyaal since it was established. The Radio employs six people in Somaliland all working part time. Since we can not afford to pay employees abroad, Radio Horyaal currently does not intend to hire any outside the country.
Where does the money raised go?
- A very basic salary goes to the employees, who currently work on part time basis.
- Some of the money is paid towards the rent of an office with telephone and an internet connection.
- We do not have a studio but Radio Horyaal buys basic equipment such as computers and digital recorders to enable the employees to carry out their work.
- A very small amount of the money raised goes to the web site maintenance also run by volunteers.
- A significant portion of the money raised goes towards buying airtime. Radio Horyaal pays for the transmission of the programs from European based stations to reach audiences in Somaliland. We currently hire half-hour to one hour six days a week.
What type of programs do you broadcast?
- Daily news from Somaliland and the Horn of Africa
- Issues relating to democracy and good governance in Somaliland
- Programs about the Health, including AIDS awareness
- Programs promoting equality, minority rights and equal representation
- Programs about human rights in Somaliland
- Programs promoting peace among the community.
Do you have a figure of the number of people who listen to your programs?
Using web site statistics, it is fairly easy to estimate the number of people who visit the daily, weekly or monthly. However, it is difficult to give a specific figure on the number of people who listen to the programs over the air. Nevertheless, we use different strategies to come to an estimation of the number of listeners in Somaliland.
Are you affiliated to any political party? Do you give equal coverage to all parties?
Radio Horyaal is independent of the political parties in Somaliland and does not get funded by either of them. It also does not ask its audience to support any specific political party. However, most of the donations to the Radio tend to come from the people who believe that Somaliland will benefit from a change of government come the next presidential election. During the elections time, Radio Horyaal will give equal coverage to all three political parties and what they offer the voters. Radio Horyaal also broadcasts to all sections of the society regardless of their political views. Equally we accept donations from all sections of the society.
Does Radio Horyaal advocate for Somaliland Recognition?
Yes. The Horn of African region has seen successive destructive civil wars that left significant number of the population to flee their homeland. We believe a sovereign and recognized Somaliland will not only guarantee a lasting peace and mutual coexistence of peoples of the Horn of Africa, it will also promote peace and stability in the region as a whole. The entire continent of Africa and the international community stand to benefit from a stable and democratic Somaliland.
I have researched and written on a particular topic that will benefit the audience of Radio Horyaal, will you accept it for broadcast?
We welcome stories and commentary from anyone as long as they do not conflict with our stated objectives.
How do I complain if I perceive some of the programs are biased?
We are extremely careful that our programs are fair, however, some people may perceive some of the programs we broadcast as biased. Should you have a complaint please write to cabasho@horyaal.net, and we will respond to you within 4 weeks at most.