The role of Civic Society Organizations (CSOs) and journalists goes beyond reporting events and acting like Trojan horses for foreign powers. In a country like Ethiopia where democratization is still in its infant stage and past elections have cast a dark shadow on the public, the role of both CSOs and journalists is vital. However, most of the time journalists and Civil Society Organizations had been serving as an instrument either for the ruling party or oppositions.
Obviously, in democratic countries where the political structure is matured, journalists and CSOs are the eye and the ears of the society. Let alone politically matured nations, countries like Nigeria and Kenya are good examples in this regard, according to scholars.
Creating awareness among the society and advocating for democratization is the sole responsibility of both journalist and CSs. This is especially true in helping the society to see what it failed to see or hear what it failed to hear.
Samuel Kassahun is Transparency Ethiopia Executive Director. According to him, the past elections have let a trauma on the mind of most Ethiopians. For this reason, most of the public are overanxious about election and election related issues.
As to him, the past elections have left a bad scar on the mind of the society. What is more, absence of awareness on election related issues is one serious challenge to the society.
Improving the awareness of the society in the area of election should be taken as a serious matter. Since election is the cornerstone for future political decisions, the society should be conscious enough about all election related concerns and be active participant without any external pressure.
Equally, the past traumatic experiences should be reversed and all practices that trigger the past experience shall be circumvented. In this respect, awareness creation must be done in the society.
According to Samuel, for this particular reason, the media and civic society organizations should not be an idle. They should be in the forefront to sensitize the general public.
In addition to the three wings of the government, media is one and important organ that has a power to influence policy makers and government officials too. Since the media is considered as the “fourth state”, it has the potential to guide public opinion and shape the society. Democratization is nothing without active participation and awareness of the society. Active involvement of civic society organizations and the media plays a key role in this regard.
Following the mass without having logical ground is common all over the world and this is common character of the society. However, this should be reversed by the effort of the media. The general public should not be blamed for what it had done before or how it reacts in the future. If there is anyone that should take the blame, it is elites, activists and journalists that are tossed by the wind of political polarities and failed to guide the mass.
“The media or the civic society organizations should be neutral and strive for the truth. But, in our country, we have witnessed several times that individuals becoming an instrument for political parties. This is not only the problem of individuals. It is also the failure of some institutions that totally forgot their duties and responsibilities. To this end, Ethiopia deserves ethical professionals and institutions that are independent in view; and critical in thought.
According to Belew Anley, Journalism and Communication Lecturer at Hawassa University, listening the heartbeat of the society is one important step in democratization. The more the government listens to the heart of its people, the more it can be aware of their interests and can fill the gaps.
In earlier years, Ethiopian leaders had their own way of listening the heartbeat of the society. Using the then Azmaris (Musicians), Aslekash and shepherds, Ethiopian political leaders used to understand the concern of the mass indirectly.
This is before the advent of modern journalism in the nation. In the latter periods, with the introduction of modern media, the society had started to reflect its voices through available media. This is especially true for the elite that had been active and bold in political sphere. Due to this, public awareness had grown. However, following the transition from Imperial rule to the Derge Regime, public voices started to shutter though there were an increasing political discontent.
When the Derge Regime came to an end, the transitional government had given a relative press freedom. This had stimulated the public concern about the country and the mass discontent of the 2005 election is a good manifestation in this regard.
According to Belew, Ethiopia`s media has its own strength and limitations in areas of election. Despite some limitations, this year`s election is experiencing a relative strength. This is being manifested in the form of access to free air time to introduce party’s manifestos and programs, creating awareness in the society, organizing debate and others.
On the other hand, absence of exclusive program for election related news, lack of opportunities for the public to attend political parties’ media debates in person are taken as limitations. According to him, since most political debates or discussions are held in studios, there is no ground for the public to ask politicians or criticize their policy publicly. What is more, event based election news are taken as limitations.
Ethiopia is found on the eve of its sixth election. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and other cases the country has postponed its election schedules twice. Following its coming into power, the reformist Prosperity Party is trying all its best to hold democratic election. As part of this plan, it is creating mass awareness in the society and the private media is given freedom to report balanced news. What is more, seeing the role of journalists for peaceful election, trainings are being provided. And, this is an encouraging move that promotes democratization that already started within the past three reformation years.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JUNE 3/2021
