IPI Fact-Finding Mission Reports on
Ethiopian Press Freedom
20 November, 2009 | IPI
OGCA head in governance structures at state media reinforces
government influence.
A document loosely translated as, “Our Media’s Developmental and
Democratic Working Philosophy: Basis and Directions” provides
evidence of the government’s direction on media development.
Published in April 2008 by the government printer, Berhanenna Selam,
the document reportedly invites the media to focus on developmental
journalism and informs journalists that they should focus on success
stories.
With its positive philosophy and detailed presentation of news methods
and techniques, the document is viewed by some who have read it as
an attempt to shift news reporting away from the traditional news
values of holding the government and other Ethiopian institutions
accountable.
Asked about these issues, the head of the OGCA, Bereket Simon,
disputed the suggestion that the flow of information is controlled.
Discussing the employment of public relations officers, Simon said the
OGCA has a “dotted line relationship with them.” He also denied that
the government controls the state media, and argued that the
governance structure ensures independence and is in fact proof of a
public service commitment, similar to that of the British Broadcasting
Corporation.
On the issue of developmental journalism, he said the OGCA is “not
interested in media development that is obsessed with negative news."
“Development is at the center of the government agenda and there is
nothing wrong with its promotion,” Simon said.
Concerning the ongoing legal case involving attempts by media owners
Serkalem Fasil, Eskinder Nega and Sisay Agena to secure publishing
licenses for several political newspapers that were shut down in 2005,
Simon said that the “government has no power to overturn the judicial
decision.” Asked whether he would be willing to award the license on
the basis of supporting a more open media environment, he said, “No.”
Although the fact-finding mission met with individuals who expressed
concern about the government’s handling of the media environment,
there were others who were optimistic about developments. There was
support for elements of the new media law, especially the element
related to freedom of information, as well as the removal of the
authorities' power to hold journalists in jail while pursuing an
investigation.
Some of those interviewed said the government had learned from its
adversarial and aggressive approach of the past and was attempting to
engage with the media.
IPI Director David Dadge said, “It is quite obvious that there have been
improvements, especially the commitment to the freedom of
information law. But too often, the government is intransigent on issues
regarding critical media. Contrary to the government’s view, the
issuing of licenses to critical media is a sign of maturity and confidence
in a functioning democracy. The government also has a lingering desire
to exert influence over the media, especially state media, which
currently falls far short of traditional public service models.”
Commenting on the issue of developmental journalism, Dadge said,
“Governments always want media to concentrate on what they believe
to be the true issues, but they should resist the temptation to try and
interfere in the media’s right to report independently: Attempts to shift
attention to developmental issues risks damaging the media’s
credibility, making it less likely that the public will believe their
reporting,” said Dadge.
Recommendations of the Fact-Finding Mission:
A) Government should review its relationship with the state media
and ensure the proper development of public service media.
B) Government must refrain from attempts to control the
information flow and recognize that a plurality of voices, including
those that dissent from the government’s view, are helpful to Ethiopian
society.
C) Government should resist the temptation to adopt the practices of
other countries without first asking whether they are: i) Beneficial to
the Ethiopian media environment, and ii) In accordance with Article 19
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
D) Media should discuss ways of introducing independent and
voluntary self-regulatory mechanisms that enhance the credibility of the
media and reinforce best practices.
Courtesy
Ethiopian Press Freedom
20 November, 2009 | IPI
- After meetings with local media and the
head of the Office of Government
Communication Affairs (OGCA), IPI’s
fact-finding mission to Ethiopia found that,
despite positive developments, concerns
still exist regarding the government's
influence over the flow of information
within Ethiopian society.
- In several meetings over the course of a
week, IPI was informed that public
relations officers working in individual
ministries report to and take their lead from
the OGCA, which also guides state media.
Journalists within the state media,
according to reports, act without editorial
OGCA head in governance structures at state media reinforces
government influence.
A document loosely translated as, “Our Media’s Developmental and
Democratic Working Philosophy: Basis and Directions” provides
evidence of the government’s direction on media development.
Published in April 2008 by the government printer, Berhanenna Selam,
the document reportedly invites the media to focus on developmental
journalism and informs journalists that they should focus on success
stories.
With its positive philosophy and detailed presentation of news methods
and techniques, the document is viewed by some who have read it as
an attempt to shift news reporting away from the traditional news
values of holding the government and other Ethiopian institutions
accountable.
Asked about these issues, the head of the OGCA, Bereket Simon,
disputed the suggestion that the flow of information is controlled.
Discussing the employment of public relations officers, Simon said the
OGCA has a “dotted line relationship with them.” He also denied that
the government controls the state media, and argued that the
governance structure ensures independence and is in fact proof of a
public service commitment, similar to that of the British Broadcasting
Corporation.
On the issue of developmental journalism, he said the OGCA is “not
interested in media development that is obsessed with negative news."
“Development is at the center of the government agenda and there is
nothing wrong with its promotion,” Simon said.
Concerning the ongoing legal case involving attempts by media owners
Serkalem Fasil, Eskinder Nega and Sisay Agena to secure publishing
licenses for several political newspapers that were shut down in 2005,
Simon said that the “government has no power to overturn the judicial
decision.” Asked whether he would be willing to award the license on
the basis of supporting a more open media environment, he said, “No.”
Although the fact-finding mission met with individuals who expressed
concern about the government’s handling of the media environment,
there were others who were optimistic about developments. There was
support for elements of the new media law, especially the element
related to freedom of information, as well as the removal of the
authorities' power to hold journalists in jail while pursuing an
investigation.
Some of those interviewed said the government had learned from its
adversarial and aggressive approach of the past and was attempting to
engage with the media.
IPI Director David Dadge said, “It is quite obvious that there have been
improvements, especially the commitment to the freedom of
information law. But too often, the government is intransigent on issues
regarding critical media. Contrary to the government’s view, the
issuing of licenses to critical media is a sign of maturity and confidence
in a functioning democracy. The government also has a lingering desire
to exert influence over the media, especially state media, which
currently falls far short of traditional public service models.”
Commenting on the issue of developmental journalism, Dadge said,
“Governments always want media to concentrate on what they believe
to be the true issues, but they should resist the temptation to try and
interfere in the media’s right to report independently: Attempts to shift
attention to developmental issues risks damaging the media’s
credibility, making it less likely that the public will believe their
reporting,” said Dadge.
Recommendations of the Fact-Finding Mission:
A) Government should review its relationship with the state media
and ensure the proper development of public service media.
B) Government must refrain from attempts to control the
information flow and recognize that a plurality of voices, including
those that dissent from the government’s view, are helpful to Ethiopian
society.
C) Government should resist the temptation to adopt the practices of
other countries without first asking whether they are: i) Beneficial to
the Ethiopian media environment, and ii) In accordance with Article 19
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
D) Media should discuss ways of introducing independent and
voluntary self-regulatory mechanisms that enhance the credibility of the
media and reinforce best practices.
Courtesy
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