Somalia: Puntland State TV Director fired after journalists ditch jobs

GAROWE, Somalia, August 13, 2015 (Garowe Online)-The President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has fired State Television Director Abdifatah Nur Qodah (Ashkir) following mass desertions on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Ali has named his deputy Hussein Haji Yusuf as interim Director with immediate effect.

The firing comes after seven journalists including editors, senior news anchors and technicians ditched their jobs on the grounds of rife embezzlement and fraudulent abuses.

In late September, state broadcaster staff members protested long overdue salaries, however. Strikebreaking measures carried on by the presidency quelled the lag in the coverage.

Italy-funded Puntland State TV was officially launched by President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali’s predecessor in 2013.

Puntland State TV went off air for unpaid bills last summer.

On 10^th of August, Garowe Online launched online petition, asking Ali to intervene between striking staffers and the sacked Director. 

GAROWE ONLINE