Addis Ababa, March 3, 2018 - W/ro Haymanot Zelke, chief director of the Ethiopian Media Authority, stated that media outlets must work collaboratively to protect national interests. The discussion forum, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Social Affairs Advisor Minister Mu'azat Tibebat Den Daniel Kibret and other stakeholders, focused on the media's role in this regard.
In a forum held in Addis Ababa, W/ro Haymanot Zelke noted that the number of media outlets is growing over time. She emphasized their major role in protecting national interests while operating with discipline and maturity.
"The number of media outlets that operate with discipline and maturity is increasing from time to time," she stated.
She urged them to fulfill responsibilities by providing timely, accurate, and balanced information. Curbing rumor-mongering and the spread of false information that undermines national interests is essential, she said. Media outlets can illuminate the true path by preventing such issues, according to the discussion.
Technological means can help control rumor and false information in digital media, she added. The authority will prioritize regulating, empowering, and maturing media outlets. Legal action will be taken against those engaging in activities that harm national interests. In particular, warning measures will be applied to organizations and individuals spreading false, baseless, or rumor-based information via digital media actors.
