MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The Director of the Communications Office of the Mayor of Mogadishu and the Banadir Regional Administration has confirmed that four media stations and three social media influencers were placed on the government payroll in a bid to bolster official propaganda, push counter-narratives, and amplify favorable coverage of the Banadir Regional Administration.
In a leaked audio recording corroborated by Kaab TV, Mr. Hussein further admitted that he attempted to increase the number of media personalities included in the scheme. However, only a few were ultimately added, while others were rejected.
“When I arrived at the office, there were four media stations on the official payroll: Shabelle TV, Universal TV, Dalsan TV, and Somali Cable TV, as well as Hassan Adde [a local TV director]. There were also individual media personalities,” Mr. Hussein said.
“Those who are paid are now visible and doing their job. That is what I did when I assumed the role,” he added.
The admission has raised serious concerns about media independence, transparency, and the potential misuse of public funds.
He also stated that the Mayor of Mogadishu, Mr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab, is active on social media and closely monitors online news and discussions, saying the mayor closely follows emerging narratives and developments to better understand the public discourse.
He also stated that the Mayor of Mogadishu, Mr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab, is active on social media and closely monitors online news and discussions, saying the mayor closely follows emerging narratives and developments to better understand the public discourse.
This is not the first such exposure. Under previous Somali administrations, payments and financial inducements to individual media personalities and influencers were reportedly common practice and have been documented in various reports.