Broadcasting Authority to Take Measures against Irresponsible Media

Addis Ababa November 4/2019 Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority (EBA) said it has been undertaking various activities to take corrective measures against irresponsible media operating in the country.

Presenting the authority's performance report to the Law, Justice and Democracy Affairs Standing Committee of HPR today, EBA Director-General Getachew Dinku said some of the media institutions in Ethiopia are abusing journalism ethics.

These media mix journalism with activism which is not ethical and professional, he added.

The  public and private media across the country also utilize their tools to attack one another and create rather than serving the public, the director-general stated.

As a result these media have been fomenting violence, Getachew said, adding that warnings  were given to some of the institutions to refrain from their destructive activities. Their licenses will be canceled and transmissions blocked unless they stop the malpractice.

Yet, the director-general stated that the authority prefers to help them by empowering their human capacity and holding discussions with the media houses before taking serious measures.

He further suggested the introduction of self-regulatory mechanisms among journalists and media practitioners through journalism associations and editors forums.

Members of Law, Justice and Democracy Affairs Standing Committee urged EBA to regulate the content of media outlets in order to ensure national unity and respect for the rule of law.

They also stressed on the need to increase the capacity to control illegally functioning satellite televisions.