Radio Hargeysa, established in 1943 under the British Somaliland Protectorate, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest radio stations in the Horn of Africa. Operating from the capital city of Hargeisa, it remains a cornerstone of the Somaliland government’s communication apparatus, primarily broadcasting news, cultural programming, and political messaging in Somali.
Media assets
Radio: Radio Hargeysa
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Radio Hargeysa is fully owned and operated by the Government of Somaliland and functions under the direct control of the Ministry of Information and National Guidance. The ministry not only oversees the station’s strategic direction but also appoints its senior management, reinforcing its identity as a government department rather than an independent public broadcaster.
Source of funding and budget
There is no publicly disclosed breakdown of Radio Hargeysa’s funding sources. However, according to both local media practitioners and international experts familiar with Somalia and Somaliland interviewed for this project, the station is entirely state-funded. While it may generate occasional revenue through public announcements or advertising, these streams are negligible compared to the operational support provided by the government. No independent financial audits or detailed budget statements for the station have been made available.
Editorial independence
Radio Hargeysa is widely regarded as a government mouthpiece, frequently criticized for operating more as a platform for official propaganda than as a public interest broadcaster. Its editorial line closely mirrors the political agenda of the ruling administration, offering limited space for dissenting voices or independent journalism.
As of mid-2025, no statutory framework exists to guarantee editorial independence, and there is no external regulatory mechanism to ensure accountability or oversight. In the absence of legal safeguards, Radio Hargeysa remains firmly under the thumb of the state, its newsroom shaped by political directives rather than journalistic principles.
June 2025