Addis Ababa:Ethiopia has reiterated its commitment to welcoming Al Jazeera and other international media organizations, underscoring its dedication to fostering responsible journalism based on fairness, balance, and accuracy.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Ethiopian Media Authority emphasized the nation's ongoing media reforms and its increasing engagement with international media. This comes as Al Jazeera marked its 30th anniversary of global broadcasting, highlighting the significance of credible journalism and Africa's representation in international narratives.
The anniversary event, held in Addis Ababa, convened Ethiopian government officials, African Union representatives, diplomats, journalists, and media leaders to reflect on Al Jazeera’s contributions to international journalism and the media's role in shaping public understanding of global affairs.
Ethiopian Media Authority Director General Haymanot Zeleke addressed the event, discussing the revision of restrictive legal frameworks, especially those related to media licensing. These revisions are part of the government's efforts to create a more diverse and robust media landscape. Haymanot noted that the reforms aim to enhance the media's role in national development, democratization, and public engagement.
Highlighting the outcomes of these reforms, Haymanot pointed out the increasing participation of international media in Ethiopia. She explained that the Ethiopian Media Authority supports international media in establishing offices, deploying correspondents, and traveling within the country to report on developments, thereby contributing to informed public discourse.
African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi emphasized the responsibility of journalism to inform truthfully and ensure marginalized voices are heard. She called for fair and contextualized reporting on Africa that accurately reflects the continent's diversity and aspirations.
Mohammed Tewekel, Head of Al Jazeera's Ethiopia Office, recalled the network’s founding mission of amplifying voices excluded from mainstream discourse. He highlighted Al Jazeera's evolution from a single channel to a significant international media operation, with its Addis Ababa bureau serving as a vital hub for African coverage since 2017.
The event underscored the importance of African storytelling from African perspectives, advocating for balanced reporting that transcends conflict narratives to capture the continent's history, cultural diversity, economic transformation, and aspirations. Al Jazeera's growth has contributed to the evolution of global broadcasting, expanding the reach of perspectives from underrepresented regions in international media.
Source Ethiopian News Agency
