By Asrat Seyoum

The Ethiopian Media Council Organizing Convention endorsed its budget and detailed statute that will govern its operation for the coming six months. Government pledged to support the organizing committee. Motuma Temesgen, head of ministers’ office at Government Communications Affairs Office, at the organizers’ meeting held at Horn of Africa Press Institute (HAPI), said that the government is strongly behind the idea of a vibrant Media Council in Ethiopia and to that end it will assist the establishment of the council as much as possible. He noted that media council’s role in promoting accountability to the people and fostering growth is critical.

Furthermore, Motuma said that government had plans to organize the council with a proper legislation but now since the initiative is coming from the media professionals themselves, government is giving the green light.

Mimi Sibhatu, owner of Zami FM radio, presented a report covering the over all activities of the organizing media council committee. The report showed that council saga is about ten years old in Ethiopia and the coming six month is going to be critical in this picture.


The 50-member organizing convention amended the proposed statute of 17 articles and the members finally accepted the statute with additional two articles and minor amendments to the rest.

Source: EthiopianReporter