Dawan Media Group (DMG) is the official print media consortium of the Somaliland government. Established in 1998 under the name Mandeeq Media Group, it was later rebranded as DMG and has since expanded into a multilingual publishing house. Today, it operates several key state-aligned publications, including Dawan (in Somali), The Horn Tribune (in English), and Alqaran (in Arabic), all serving as conduits for official communication and public outreach.
Media assets
Newspapers: Dawan, The Horn Tribune, Alqaran
State Media Matrix Typology
State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
DMG is operated as a fully state-controlled media entity. It functions under the authority of the Ministry of Information and National Guidance, which retains full control over its governance. The Ministry appoints the editorial and administrative leadership, and the group is treated institutionally as a government body rather than an independent media house.
Source of funding and budget
As of mid-2025, no detailed financial disclosures have been made available regarding DMG’s operations. According to both local journalists and international media experts consulted for this assessment, DMG is primarily financed through public funds, with its core budget allocated from the Ministry of Information. While limited advertising and service revenues may be generated, these are marginal compared to its reliance on state subsidies.
Editorial independence
Dawan Media Group operates as a mouthpiece for the Somaliland government, with its publications overwhelmingly reflecting official perspectives. Editorial content is widely perceived to echo government positions, with little space afforded to critical journalism, opposition viewpoints, or independent analysis.
There is no legal framework in Somaliland that guarantees editorial autonomy for publicly funded media outlets. Furthermore, no independent regulatory body exists to oversee the editorial practices of DMG’s publications. As a result, the group remains tightly tethered to the state’s political interests, reinforcing its role as a tool of government communication rather than a forum for diverse public discourse.
June 2025