Press Secretary Exposes Malicious Intentions of Int’l Media against Ethiopia

Addis Ababa November 10/2021 (ENA) Press Secretary Billene Seyoum pointed out that framings of the international media have malicious intentions against Ethiopia.

The press secretary, who was interviewed by Cable News Network (CNN), said CNN has for instance covered the conflict in northern Ethiopia over the past year with a manner that is highly biased and detached from the context. 

She also pointed out that the recent report of the news network that “Addis Ababa was under siege by the terrorist TPLF and its ally” has caused tremendous panic on the people of Ethiopia.  

“A recent example is the hysteria that CNN had caused last week as if Addis Ababa was under siege sending a global message that the city is about to go down. We have often shared that it seems Ethiopia is undergoing through what looks like a coordinated media campaign to tarnish the image of the country.”

She further noted that CNN’s ill-intended news framing has been tarnishing the image of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his administration.

 “Media outlets like CNN, New York Times, Washington Post and Reuters in particular as well as others have often chosen to carry an already negative and skewed narrative missing important nuances,” the press secretary underlined.

Responding to CNN’s journalist Becky Anderson that whether the international media, including CNN, that are currently not being allowed by the Ethiopian government to report and not being granted accreditation, Billene noted that this was also misinformation.

The allegation is among the disinformation being perpetrated by the foreign media.

 “Your media team did not come into the country or some members of your team did not come into the country by following the due process,” the press secretary stated.

As Ethiopia currently doesn’t have a hostile environment to the media at all, Billene elaborated  that there are other media entities that had requested and facilitated entry into the country to   cover stories they want.

However, she revealed that many false stories are being fabricated by the headquarters of international media outlets and they are at the forefront to undermine Ethiopia’s image.