Somalia

Somalia has one of the most extravagant media landscapes and one of the most affordable mobile phone services in the sub-Saharan Horn of Africa. Consequently, Somalia’s media and telecommunication industries witnessed exponential growth during the period of anarchy from 1990 to 2000. This positive aspect of Somali society is rarely noticed in media coverage and has been neglected in academic studies. Although many hardships still exist in the country due to civil war and unstable political situations, particularly in the south-central regions, many sectors have developed faster in Somalia than they have in many countries that enjoy political stability. This entry provides a synopsis of the mass media in Somalia and their role in society.