The Ethiopian Media Council has initiated discussions on establishing a Media Fund to provide financial assistance to media institutions grappling with economic difficulties. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the sustainability of both private and public media outlets vulnerable to closure, and the precarious situation faced by unemployed journalists.
The Council convened a forum focused on the Fund’s purpose, potential funding sources, and management frameworks. Deputy Chairman of the Council’s Executive Committee, Tamerat Hailu, spearheaded the session by presenting a comprehensive study informed by international experiences.
The newly proposed Media Fund aims to provide critical financial lifelines to media organizations, helping them combat mounting costs, including administrative overheads, satellite fees, and employee salaries. “Establishing this fund will help media organizations weather the financial crisis and preserve independent voices and institutional diversity,” Tamerat explained.
Drawing parallels with developed countries where the loss of any media outlet is recognized as a loss of public discourse diversity, Tamerat emphasized the importance of government and stakeholder support in maintaining a vibrant media ecosystem. The Fund is envisioned to revive print newspapers that have suspended publication and restore satellite broadcast services that have ceased operations.
International precedents highlight varied approaches to Media Funds, with management models ranging from fully government-run to multi-stakeholder collaborations. The Ethiopian Media Council has committed to founding and overseeing the Fund’s operations, with rigorous monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and appropriate disbursement.
Potential fund contributors include the Ethiopian government, international donors, and private sector stakeholders. The ongoing dialogue forms part of the Council’s broader mandate to strengthen the media sector and ensure press freedom, professionalism, and sustainability.
The proposal was intensively deliberated during the Inter-Media Dialogue, a biweekly forum of media stakeholders addressing sectoral challenges. The Council has presented the plan to relevant government bodies as part of efforts to formalize and implement the Media Fund.
This initiative marks a significant step toward safeguarding Ethiopia’s media landscape at a time when financial hardships threaten the survival of independent journalism.
