Name: Laeke Mariam Demessie
Career: Journalist, Researcher and Author.
Publications: Journalism without a Teacher; he translated Blood Price, Ditched in the jungle and among others.
He was born at Holeta Genet and raised in Addis Ababa. After attending a priest school early in childhood he went to Menelik II School for elementary and secondary school education. Then, he won scholarship to the America Community School and joined The Choate School, Wallingford, CT, USA.
After completing his education he came back to Ethiopia and joined Addis Ababa University. He studied Ethiopian histories, Geez and African History. Due to students’ unrests erupting now and then at that time, he joined the Institute of Development Research and he became assistant researcher. He had also joined the urbanization of Addis Ababa project.
He did a research for one year on the street culture in Ethiopia. While working there he competed to join the Ethiopia Radio’s English Desk. Then, he became a reporter of Ethiopia’s Radio. He was also news announcer and producer there. After working for 16 months, he got arrested due to the political turmoil rocking the nation during those days.
After he got out, he worked in Arsi and Wolita, Harar to discharge different missions given to him by the government. Later on, he came to Addis Ababa and joined a material production unit at Ministry of Agriculture.
After EPRDF came to power, they advised him to leave the Ministry of Agriculture because the structural they came up with had no place for him. Then, RUH magazine hired him as editor and producer.
While working for RUH, it came to his attention that VOA was looking for a reporter. He applied. Soon he joined VOA and worked there for 4 years. He had worked for BBC Radio for eight years, four year for Inter Press Service (IPS). Also he used to work for Radio France’s international English Desk. Senior Journalist Laeke Mariam Demessie had efficiently discharged his journalistic responsibilities working for various media for 40 years. The Ethiopian Herald had a while with Laeke Mariam Demessie. Excerpts:
The Ethiopian Herald: What were the most challenging things in journalism during those days?
Laeke Mariam Demessie: Journalism is very big.
When you work with the print media, the editor may cut out your story and add whatever he wants.
When it comes to radio, you have to go with a given time. You have to meet deadlines after deadlines.
In addition, the noose on freedom of expression was the big challenge. Also, I recall access to information was one of the big hurdles. Especially, when you work for the private media, the government will not invite you to the press conferences and you may not get press releases. These were the big challenges I had faced then.
Herald: What inspired you more about journalism?
Laeke Mariam: Well, it is full of creativity. You will never write the same thing every day. Daily you cover something different which would help you to expand the frontier of your knowledge. It offers you a huge chance to creativity.
Herald: What is your take on the Ethiopian history?
Laeke Mariam: Ethiopian history is very vast and fascinating. We have even prehistory before people start recording. The country is full of magnificent and tremendous histories.
Herald: How do you see the coo-existence of religions in Ethiopia?
Laeke Mariam: Ethiopia is a country which has entertained three ancient religions namely Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We accepted Christianity in the fourth century which is very close to crucifixion of Jesus Christ. We have very rich history. Lalibela, Aksum Gonder, and Jegol wall are among the wonders and great treasures in the country. The land is known for people’s respect for one to another. Citizens are noted for standing by one another’s side.
Herald: How did you evaluate the current reports on different Medias?
Laeke Mariam: Since PM Abiy came; relatively there is a more space and freedom. But the most important thing is doing like the Americans did during first amendment. The Ethiopian press law should be promulgated in the constitution. Then, we should be secured not because Abiy lingered on the political scene or left it but because that has to be the rule of the country.
Herald: Some are saying Ethiopian Media outlets are permeated by opinion journalism, what is your take on that?
Laeke Mariam: Well, that is true. That is because of lack of education. There had not been trainings on journalism in the country. The gap is palpable.
I was trained Journalism in German at the International Institute of Journalism, (IIJB), Berlin. Besides I have taken so many trainings on journalism.
It was because I noticed the lack of training I authored the book entitled Journalism without a Teacher for aspiring young journalists and also self-taught senior journalists lacking the art of the craft. I felt I must contribute my share in bridging the gap. This book was funded by USAID. You see there was no journalism school then. When my book hit the windows of different book centers relatively speaking there was a freedom of expression and everybody was writing as s/ he wanted. So, training has to be there.
Herald: What must be done to promote journalism down the road?
Laeke Mariam: There should be good journalism schools not like the ones that we have which is anchored on propagandas. Students should be taught about real journalism and universities giving training in the field must invite teachers from abroad by way of experience sharing. For example I was trained by seasoned journalists from UK, US and among others. Actually, collogues and I were trained by journalist from England for twenty one days. There should be intensive and on-the-job trainings. When I was at Radio Ethiopia I was given on-the- job training. In addition, I was trained in German studio. So there has to be trainings and real journalism schools.
Herald: How do you assess the level of Ethiopian Medias?
Laeke Mariam: The educational standard during Hailesilassie was the best. When Derg came, it made a mass education. But EPRDF came with the study of new local languages. It also killed the education standard. Once, while I was working for a RUH magazine, I interviewed Professor Abraham Demoz who was an ethno linguist. According to Professor Abraham, literacy was given by fifteen ethnic languages during the Derg regime.
At the time there were eleven million Oromos who can write in Amharic and read books out there. When they introduced the Qubee which is a new thing, they took those eleven million Oromos back to square one. So, there are advantages and disadvantages. I am not against learning by mother tongue but it should meet the standard like accompaniments in the form of books.
When I was at high school, we used to learn French as one subject but everything we learn was in English. What I am saying is you cannot reach the top by leaning on what your teachers’ spoon feed you and write you on the black board. You should be able to read and refer books by others who have rich experience in the field. So, the problem is within the education policy. Until we change that we cannot reach at the expected level.
Herald: Some are condemning the current situations among youngsters, what should be done to create common understanding?
Laeke Mariam: When we were kids, we use to learn moral. The Christians were studying Bible, while the Muslims were learning Quran.As the saying goes that has a far reaching effect in making kids God fearing and respect for their elders. These things are very important in creating a qualified and well matured generation. So, these things should be practiced.
Herald: How did you see the role of Media outlets in addressing country’s problem?
Laeke Mariam: The formal Media outlets were doing better. But when we come to social media, things are on a disastrous way. People like to insight people. People voice complaint against people, one ethnic group nurses a grudge against another, one religion group is seen proactively hunting trouble against another. Everyone is posting irresponsible things and his/her propaganda. So, something has to be done before it destroys the virtuous things we had.
Herald: What is your take on the reforms going on in the country?
Laeke Mariam: One of the things that PM Abiy did was releasing prisoners and he created peace with all our neighbors. The fact is that he reconciled with Eritrea. Now, there would be a possibility of mutual benefit. The very objective is to build regional integration that is why IGAD is birthed. There is a chance for the countries in the region to grow together by opening borders for each other and using one currency.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 1 December 2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
