The inclusion of media on the transitional justice initiative has been stated as crucial.
In a recent panel discussion organized by the Editors Guild of Ethiopia (EGE) in collaboration with Ethiopian Broadcasting Cooperation with the aid of the International Media Support Ethiopia, it was stressed upon that media must be part and parcel of the transitional justice initiative.
In the interactive discussion that gathered pertinent stakeholders from different institutions including media, Abdissa Zeray, a Professor at Addis Ababa University, underscored that an initiative is under works for the come up of transitional justice media institutions as an entity, like any other arm, to address critical issues in this space.
According to Prof. Abdissa, the media sector in general needs a structural change from the current position and it is a necessity for it to be infused with the transitional justice process.
During the panel discussion which keenly observed the post 2018 media reform and its challenges, the recent conflict in the northern parts of Ethiopia and other issues including less effort by government were cited as challenges that required much needed attention. A reform was also deemed mandatory.
Although reform by its very nature is a process, with results expected in the future, it was opined that some expected laws have been delayed, which need to be amended with haste.
The EGE is a professional association for editors in Ethiopia working at print, broadcast and online media companies.