ADDIS ABABA- CNN has been deviating from ethical journalism in covering Ethiopia’s current situation as it has been engaging in ‘naked propaganda’ supported with misinformation and disinformation , an expert in the field said.
Speaking to local media, Communications and Media Lecturer at Hamline University Endalkachew Hailemicheal (PhD) stated that “The recent report presented on CNN stated that bodies recovered on the river are ethnic Tigray. The major question here is that how can you identify the ethnic class of the recovered body? Where can the ethnicity of the dead body be identifiable?”
As to the expert, CNN’s fake report aimed to divert the attention the world has given TPLF fighters’ execution of over 200 ethnic Amhara civilians in Chena village near Dabt district, North Gondar Zone of the Amhara State recently. “So, the CNN’s report likely planned to divert the focus and to publicize only the issue that they want to broadcast”.
“The number of dead bodies they claimed to find on the river is thirty. Therefore, how can it be comparable with the 200 and more death toll? They can recheck the number otherwise,” he added.
Endalkachew pointed out that the report made by a Sudan-born CNN journalist is of low quality and does not fit the standard of news. The reporter deliberately ignores facts on the ground and tries to impose the news company’s hidden agenda under the name of journalism.
“CNN also seems like a public relations firm, not a news media Company. In fact, they are making the report in favor of some interest groups which have a strong desire to intervene in Ethiopia’s internal affairs either militarily or politically.”
CNN repeatedly disseminates fake news about Ethiopia and it is evident that the outlet has been serving its funders hidden agenda.
Within the past two or more weeks, CNN has been extensively covering Ethiopia and its fake reports seem to rescue terrorist TPLF. Its recent report about Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) is also full of lies and violates professional and ethical journalism, the expert elaborated.
“Stating from the broke out of the war, I have seen naked, clear propaganda supported with misinformation and disinformation. Hundreds of civilians Amhara and Afar states have been killed. And, the number of total deaths has not been recovered so far.”
The academician further highlighted that some western media’s false reports may have a mission of forcing the current Ethiopian government to change its decision to defend the interest of the country. Efforts of Ethiopian social media actors have brought a commendable outcome in countering the intensified misinformation campaigns.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
ETHIOPIAN HERALD 15 SEPTEMBER 2021
