Debriefing the journalists after questions and answers session with the economy committee of the House of Representatives, the minister said the duty was recommended by the ministry of information and culture. He added they based their recommendation on need, precedent, and international practice.
The new fee is part of the revenue streams of the 2019 budget read to parliament. It requires local televison stations to pay 10,000 US dollars. Foreign Tv stations 15,000, international newspapers 5,000 and local newspapers and websites 2,000.
Earlier in the day, SOLJA, The association of Somaliland Journalists lodged official complaint against the high fees with the Economic Committee of the parliament.
In the complaint, SOLJA lamented the doubling of frequency and license fees, and expressed the huge burden these new imposed fees will be on already struggling sector.
Activists took to social media to protest against the new imposed fees. It is widely viewed as infringement of freedom of speech. Some commented it’s a way of driving many institutions out of business.
By admin
January 11, 2019
