Ethiopia Reflections on Media Reform

“Media reform is not about reforming the laws. It is about reforming the heart of the culture of journalism as well as the relation between media, government, civil society and international stakeholders. It is about producing journalism that is based on truth-seeking professionalism”

Lars Tallert, Head of Policy and International Development at Fojo Media Institute

The publication aims to provide critical reflection and useful tips and tools for Ethiopian journalists and anyone who has an interest in media reform during times of change and focus on broad media reform themes such as press freedom, self-regulation, media business models, media councils, gender representation in the media, and the need for tools and resilience in a digitalized world. While most of the contributors to this booklet are Ethiopian, there are also journalists and experts from other African countries like Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and Sweden. The book was commissioned by Fojo project manager, Marika Griehsel and edited by Heather Robertson (Change Routes), translated from English to Amharic by Biniam Getaneh and designed by Izzat Amanuel.

Photographer Michael Tewelde has taken the photos to both publications, most of them during the conference ”Promoting journalism and democracy in Practices – Media reform in a time of change”, 9–10 April at UNECA, Addis Ababa, arranged by Fojo Media Institute, The Swedish Embassy in Ethiopia and Nubia Media and Communications.