ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Media Sector Alliance has called on the government and international actors to develop and implement a coordinated response mechanism to create an enabling media landscape.
At the workshop yesterday, the Ethiopian Media Council Chairperson Amare Aregawi said that to bring about a vibrant media, the government along with the media sectors and the alliance has to undertake engagements to tackle hate speech and fake news.
Citing that Ethiopia is one of the country signing accesses to information, the Chairperson further remarked that the government has to safeguard the rights of journalists while reporting as per the guidelines of the constitutional press freedom accordingly.
“Due to COVID-19 and other security issues the alliance has not been operating in its full swing,” he added.
The council has recently signed an agreement with the Ethiopian Mass media Authority which help entertain peer reviews and claims of journalistic malpractices and brought to the Council to get resolved, he added.
UNESCO Communication Officer Aderaw Genetu for his part said that the alliance along with international partners is set to support and facilitate cooperation in the media sector in issues related to capacity building and other technical support.
Therefore, he said it is critical to develop a coordinated response mechanism that will ensure various media actors which would contribute to the priorities aligned to the ongoing media reforms and enhance media literacy and support the youth to develop digital literacy.
So far, the alliance has been undertaking regular follow-ups and support to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation training center to create a convenient media landscape through its training hub. Besides, media representatives and institutions have taken overseas training and shared experiences.
Following the reform, he noted that the government has taken measures by revising media rules and regulations and this needs to be further strengthened.
UNESCO Liaison Office to the AU and ECA Representative in Ethiopia Rita Bissoonauth (PhD) said that as per the UNESCO World trends in freedom of expression and media development report, independent journalism is in danger, faced with the erosion of business models, increasing crackdowns on press freedom against the safety of journalists.
She said: “As mis-and disinformation has contributed to years of declining trust in media worldwide, UNESCO is taking various actions to counter disinformation.”
As to her, Ethiopia’s media landscape as part of the global community faces various challenges; therefore, it requires concerted efforts by all actors both nationally and internationally.
“We trust the EMSA’s platform provides the space for a strategic discussion and collaboration regarding the opportunities and challenges of the media landscape in Ethiopia,” she said.
“The fact that EMSA is an open platform for all local and international media partners in Ethiopia, it provides us the opportunity to discuss priorities of the sector, identify the gaps and create synergy and avoid duplication of efforts,” she noted.
She reaffirmed that UNESCO is committed to supporting the coordination of the EMSA by providing the required technical and other functions within its mandate and expertise.
It is to be recalled that the Alliance was established on 19 November 2019 aiming at ensuring Ethiopia a vibrant media sector capable of supporting the development and peace building agendas of the country.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER 2023
