ADDIS ABABA – As elections are very prone to conflicts, print and electronic media practitioners should attach significance to extra sensitivity and extra responsibility, said Ethiopian Broadcasting Agency Director-General, Getachew Dinku.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Getachew said the kind of journalism one practices in conflict-prone countries should be different from the regular reporting in every aspect.
Before reporting a certain incident, one should be able to critically examine the adverse impacts of the information disseminated to the public, he added. “Media outlets should put the saying ‘Look before you leap’ into practice.”
Meanwhile, he further stressed that concerning election coverage; the country needs to follow in Kenyan’s footsteps given that their press is entirely way better and way professional. “We have to draw a lesson from their effective system.”
He went on saying, “on the part of Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority, we are planning to offer as much training as possible on election coverage. We would like to bring experiences from other countries including Kenya attaching the weight to the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of election coverage.
“As calm is the rule of the game during an election, the print and electronic media outlets of the country should play a major role in getting the community cools down instead of fueling the fire,” he wrapped up.
The Ethiopian Herald Friday Edition, March 2/2020
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
