Dear Editor,
It is irresistible to comment on the recent progress made by media actors of our nation to the point of establishing a council which will embrace individual members and their associations.
Naturally journalism is a very delicate profession to regulate; and the going would be tough in the first few years like any other undertaking. But I strongly believe the council will transform itself to a world class professional body and be able to guide and build capability of its members to a higher degree of professionalism see in the years to come.
In a normal course of business, professional bodies have a responsibility to look after their members, and in most cases professional associations set a minimum standard of professional competency, follow up members’ code of conduct; build capacity, other than collecting membership fees and taking action in case of misdemeanors. Members have also obligations to abide by the rules, and when it comes to journalism, they should know the consequences and differences between writing unfounded and misplaced emotion and disseminating reliable information to the general public.
The majority of the Amharic newspapers and magazines, which I have come across in the past few years lack substance and seems to be written by individuals who do not really have a firm grip on history, or politics, or economy and clueless about the meaning of being a journalist and a political activist. They also appear to be perplexed about the disparity between freedom of expression and beating the drum of an orange revolution, so desperate to be sanctified by CPJ and Human Rights Watch after crossing the boundaries of the law, and who secretly hold the idea of securing an asylum in the West. There are also a few networked and opportunist intellectuals well aware of the situation, who play the game behind the scene and act as catalysts with the backing of some misinformed Diaspora and few noisy amateur diplomats who do not understand the situation at hand. This reminds me a Sanskrit adage if I get the translation right, it is goes like this: ‘An educated and a crooked individual is like a poisonous snake with a beautiful skin.’
This is where the media council comes to the rescue; which is by filling the capacity gaps of its members through their respective associations, and make sure that all its members fulfill a minimum standard of professional competence, in addition to attending a well organized and continuous capacity building program. It should also encourage educated individuals from all walks of life to join the profession and pass through standard journalism course, so that it will have a pool of knowledgeable members who will contribute to the profession as well as to society.
In spite of most people’s knowledge regarding the veiled political party affiliated newspaper circulating in the name of a free press, and the accountable ones which are reliable, informative and entertaining the council should also workout with all media outlets and encourage them to honestly declare their party affiliation and the very intention of their existence.
Congratulations to all those who have contributed their time and effort in the formation of the media council and who shoulder the future of the profession.
Yonas Fisseha