Closed Captioned
Grades 10-12, College, Adult
Directed by Judy Jackson
Produced by Judy Jackson and Deborah Parks for Judy Films
DVD Purchase $250, Rent $75
US Release Date: 2003
Copyright Date: 2003
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-088-X
VHS ISBN: 1-59458-023-5
Subjects
African Studies
Anthropology
Citizenship
Community
Conflict Resolution
Developing World
Geography
Human Rights
Humanities
Media Literacy
Social Justice
Technology
War and Peace
Awards and Festivals
The Silver Chris, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Runner Up, Audience Award, Edmonton International Film Festival
Bronze Remi, WorldFest-Houston International Independent Film Festival
Calgary International Film Festival
United Nations Association Film Festival
Vermont International Film Festival
MountainFilm, Telluride
Global Visions Film Festival
Freedom Cinema Festival
Swedish Amnesty International Film Festival
Media Under Fire
The story of HornAfrik, the first community TV and radio station in Somalia.
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"Highly Recommended...well-paced and engaging." Educational Media Reviews Online |
A decade after the disastrous US humanitarian intervention in Somalia, HornAfrik, the first independent TV and radio station in war-ravaged Mogadishu, was established by three brave Somali-Canadians in the face of chaos and devastation. Their vision was to forge a path to peace through freedom of expression, impartial news, and debate. The station's talk shows have become incredibly popular, providing a unique way for Mogadishu's marginalized residents, including women's groups and human rights advocates, to speak out without being silenced.
It is a venture not without danger; HornAfrik has been attacked more than once by angry warlords displeased with the station's content. Despite the perils, the founders of HornAfrik continue their broadcasts, creating a blueprint for the role of the media in times of conflict.
Reviews
"Talk Mogadishu is a fascinating account of running a radio and television station, HornAfrik, in a dangerous city and a failed state...it provides a close and inside look at the rigors of providing balanced and sometimes controversial coverage of events in an environment where there is always some group that will take offense. Talk Mogasishu is historically accurate and contains useful visual material on the largely destroyed capital city of Somalia. It also demonstrates how the Somali diaspora can make a positive contribution to its country of origin."
Professor David Shinn, Elliot School of International Affairs, The George Washington University (State Department Coordinator for Somalia during UNITAF and UNISOM)
"Demonstrates the resourcefulness, courage and essential family values that are part of every Somali that I have known. The film deserves wide distribution, and it shows why the world should not abandon Somalia."
Walter S. Clarke, retired US diplomat, co-editor Learning from Somalia: Lessons of Armed Humanitarian Intervention, consultant on civil-military and failed state issues
"Highly recommended...HornAfrik continues its effort to rebuild Somalia by encouraging the free exchange of ideas and national reconciliation. It has become a model for using media to promote peace in a society actively involved in civil war... [Talk Mogadishu] is well paced and engaging."
Thomas J. Beck, University of Colorado, Denver, Educational Media Reviews Online
"Inspirational...A welcome addition to public library DVD shelves, ideal for showing in high school and college classrooms, Talk Mogadishu deserves the highest possible recommendation for its spotlight on how media has the potential to bring light to the most troubled of times and places."
The Midwest Book Review