Appellant - Employees of the BBC_Somali_Service vs Defendant - Mr Yussuf-Garaad Omar, current Head of the BBC_Somali_Service.

Dear Ms Blackburn,

This is in reference to the on-going internal investigation pursuant to the tribunal progression awaiting the findings of the investigation involving plaintiffs (empolyees of the BBC_Somali_Service) represented by Wilson & Co. Solicitors, who brought a legal action against the defendant, the current head of the BBC_Somali_Service on the grounds of exercising impropriety, nepotism, favouritism, unfair dismissal and most of all discrimination in the process of employing prospective journalists for the service.

It has become known that less qualified individuals with limited knowledge in the field concerned, void of journalistic ethics, not to mention in breach of governing policies and guidelines put in place to direct journalists employed by the BBC regardless of which service he/she works for, are selected over highly skilled individuals with expertise accumulated over many years, as a result of which considerable decline in the quality of programmes has become noticeable, which undoubtedly will jeopardise the superior quality of news and programmes that had remained a trademark for this centuries-old institution.

It is tragic to learn of the seriousness of the matter: a case in court that is long over due even though it has been discussed and debated many a times amongst loyal listeners. And as such, concerns have been communicated to those in charge in writing in numerous occasions with view of addressing this grave misrepresentation, practice of teeming and lading where least expected. Unfortunately, as of yet no substantial action to remedy the dilemma has been undertaken to minimise possible damage.

Writings of complaint to this effect had been forwarded to the director of the BBC along with the gentleman in question all concerning the diminishing standards of the service, flagging number in listeners base, declining calibre of persons hand-picked to substitute those retired so prematurely as they neither met the new selection criterion put in place by the gentleman in charge, nor did they conform to his commitment in applying the service as an apparatus to support political groups, regions, and organisation in Somalia while alienating others. The former receive extensive coverage to the extent of having the whole service at their disposal while the latter are subjected to news fabrication and falsification of events evolving in those regions of which sole purpose is to destabilise peaceful communities to the point of releasing unverified and unconfirmed news articles from fallacious sources.

It is distressing to have to witness mediocre journalistic performance below par demonstrated by favoured individuals whom neither possess the same level of competence nor the know-how of that expected of journalists of the old beeb. And to think of the campaign undertaken by loyal listeners when the then director of BBC_World_Service was considering dropping the Somali service altogether.

Therefore, I suggest perhaps the BBC should heed listener feedback, which I trust is the only performance measurement instrument applicable in this matter so as to assess employee performance and accountability, quality of programmes, future direction of the service, listener satisfaction etc., for the British taxpayer deserves no less,

In the mean time perhaps Mr Omar should be monitored to ascertain that no such practice continues and that he is not in breach of the BBC's journalistic policies and guideline while the investigations is in due process,

To conclude the on-going investigation in a fair and equitable manner penalising Mr Omar if found guilty of all charges and exonerating him if such charges are found to be untrue. Which penalty befits the crime committed is left at the discretion of the management and the team conducting the investigation,

And finally, I believe a monitoring internal system safeguarding the integrity, thus professionalism of those employed by the BBC should be put in place, if not in place already.

I shall welcome your repose on the matter thanking you in advance for your attention.

Cheers,

Syed, Ahmed Gashan
ajgashan@hotmail.com

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Ms. Kari Blackburn Replies:

Thank you for your comments which I have noted. Let me assure you that the
Somali Service is run and monitored in exactly the same way as all the other
language Sections of the BBC. I not Mr Garaad was in charge of the
recruitment campaign.

Kari 



Kari Blackburn
Head of African Services
BBC World Service
Room 145 CB Bush House London WC2B 4PH
Tel. 020 7 557 1300
Fax. 020 7 240 6227
E Mail kari.blackburn@bbc.co.uk 

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