ADDIS ABABA-The Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority said it has provided at least a first-round feedback based on expert analysis of media contents, to all the broadcast media outlets.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Authority’s Director-General Dr. Getachew Dinku said the Authority can record up to one hundred TV and twenty radio stations broadcast a day.
“Experts including veteran journalists have been participating in making analyses of the raw data; and as we cannot look into every single story or content, we make a selection based on scientifically acceptable sampling techniques,” Getachew said.
An
expert who partakes in the analysis spoke to The Ethiopian Herald under the
condition of anonymity that the task is entirely
professional. He added that such
an endeavor would help the broadcast media to be free from bias.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Ahadu Radio and Television Chief Executive Officer Tibebu Belete described the Authority’s move as an exemplary—which other institutions such as universities ought to replicate.
“I would call it an outsider ‘a review’ inside the activities of the broadcast media. We, in fact, have our daily briefings to evaluate our works,” he said.
So far, the Ahadu Radio FM 94.3 obtained two reviews, he said, adding that the feedbacks are utterly professional that mirror the strength and weaknesses of the radio station. “We use the feedback to improve our works.”
Back in the day, the Authority was a neglected sector. But, now the Authority is breathing new life into the broadcast media.
On the contrary, Tibebu did not shy away from mentioning a few points that he said should be improved.
Some broadcast outlets including the regional ones are seen crossing the redline mark. There are tendencies of serving the ill-conceived interests of a few groups. At times such media outlets go as far as inciting ethnic violence, he said.
“The Authority needs to organize a periodic platform in that such tendencies could be discussed and corrected.”
According to Authority’s Director-General Dr. Getachew countries considered as topnotch of press freedom like the U.S. similarly regulate the media.
“If the outlets fail to abide by the law, after six months or seven months of reports, the Authority may take legal measures,” he added..
The Ethiopian Herald January 17/2020
BY ADDISALEM MULAT & WORKU BELACHEW
