The world, particularly Africa, has experienced the positive and negative impact of Media. The experience of Rwanda’s genocide
in 1994 remembers each one of us the negative impact of Medias. On the contrary, Angola’s “Song of Peace” in April 1997 indicates the role of Media in peace keeping process of a nation.
Recently, FDRE Reconciliation Commission has provided the two-day training for national Media outlets under the theme; “the role of media in reconciliation process.” Commissioner Debebe Eshetu, Public Relation Head at the commission told journalists that his office is working genuinely to promote national reconciliation.
He further said that the commission has made extensive discussion with parts of the society in each region about the advantage of peace and conflict resolution mechanisms. Rather than reporting about past and bad incidents, we should work on the untapped cultural reconciliation values of Ethiopia.
“I suggest that all of us, as diplomats, journalists, government officials or just stakeholders, shall act promptly and effectively, within our sphere of influence, to halt hate speech wherever it occurs – or better still, to make sure there is no ‘next time’,” he noted.
Befikadu Abay, Journalist at Birana News on his part says each Media outlets that are found in Ethiopia and abroad are regarded as impartial watchdogs and key players in downsizing conflicts across the nation. “We journalists should be an activist for peace; we should preach peace related issues among the society.
Journalists can publish different news and articles that can easily describe the value of peace for the society. Also they can broadcast different documentaries, stories, news, analysis and some other programs that have positive impacts on building peace and reconciliation across the country, he says”.
Mulatu Belayneh (Ph.D) works privately as a Marriage and Family counselor. He tells The Ethiopian Herald that the primary key role to sustain peace in the country lies on the hand of Media. According to him, Media owners, management teams, journalists and other supportive departments should always be proactive in fighting against conflict.
Lack of accurate information, absence of impartiality, and preferring to be war journalist are among the major factors that could hinder the national reconciliation processes. “Therefore, if every one of us adopts a culture of excuse and reconciliation, we can return the nations prior peace,” he noted.
Documents revealed that Ethiopia has more than 800 cultural values; of which about 300 of them are dealing about the culture of conflict resolution mechanisms. Additionally, its citizens have a culture of living together through breaking some religious, cultural, gender and other societal differences.
In short, we can be a good example of unity, love and harmony. Based on this strong bondage, if someone kills the other we thought that they are killing their family. Subsequently, people should be aware of the pros of avoiding conflict peacefully just to save their family,” Aklilu says.
All in all, nothing will stop Ethiopia to promote national peace and reconciliation if all print, broadcast and online journalists act like as peace activists, experts and officials agreed.
The Ethiopian Herald February 15 /2020
BY HIZKEL HAILU
