As part of its growing investment across the African continent, the BBC is launching a TV news program for its Somali-speaking audiences specifically.
The daily (Monday to Friday) program will cover global and regional news, business, technology, sports and entertainment. It will be aired on some local free-to-air TV stations, bringing what the BBC describes as impartial, independent and objective information and analysis to millions of Somali speakers in the region, and the diaspora.
The TV program will offer an international perspective on how global developments affect Somalia – and how events within the region are seen by the rest of the world. It will benefit from a growing network of journalists based in the region and overseas in countries such as the UK and the US.
It will broadcast from London.
— BBC estimates it will reach 3.6 million people weekly via all platforms for BBC Somali
— It will be broadcast on the following partners; Horn Cable TV, Kalsan TV, Somali Broadcast Corporation and Star TV Network
Viewers can interact with the progam online at @bbcsomali and bbcsomali.com.
Presenter Farhan Jimale says: “It’s the perfect moment to launch a TV news offer for our audience because BBC Somali service is this year celebrating its 60th anniversary. Our aim is to reach young and aspirational Somalis who are increasingly consuming news via TV, digital and social media platforms. We hope this TV program will soon become essential viewing for Somali audiences globally.”
Solomon Mugera, Regional Editor, BBC Africa says: “The BBC is responding to what Somali audiences want. Over the years we have built a strong audience base, particularly on Radio, and we know that the way audiences consume media content is changing. This news program will deliver journalism, based on our long-standing principles of independence, accuracy and unbiased reporting.”
The BBC says that its significant investment in Africa over the next few years will see, most exciting, establishing co-productions and commissions with local independent producers as well as training and mentoring for the next generation of African journalists.
