Government Communication Service Urges Media to Prioritize National Interests
June 1, 2017
The Government Communication Service has called on commercial media outlets to focus on Ethiopia’s national interests by highlighting development projects that benefit future generations. This appeal was accompanied by a commitment from the government to strengthen collaboration with the private media sector on issues of national importance.
During a recent stakeholder discussion, participants explored ways to enhance cooperation between the government and commercial media in promoting the country’s development initiatives. The dialogue aimed to showcase the nation’s achievements, raise public awareness of existing challenges, and collaboratively formulate future strategies.
State Minister of the Government Communication Service, Mr. Tesfahun Gobezay, acknowledged the media’s vital role in reporting the nation’s political, economic, social, and diplomatic progress over the past seven years. However, he expressed concern over the prevalence of sensationalism, decontextualized reporting, and a tendency to prioritize rapid dissemination over in-depth research—often driven by the need to attract audiences. He also noted that some commercial media outlets hesitate to engage with national agendas, perceiving them as partisan rather than collective priorities.
Emphasizing the importance of coordination, the State Minister urged media organizations to uphold responsible journalism by providing balanced reporting—especially in the ‘post-truth era,’ where speed can sometimes compromise accuracy. He cautioned against neglecting comprehensive coverage of critical national issues or sidelining positive developments due to engagement concerns.
Representatives from the media acknowledged the need for greater collaboration but raised concerns about freedom of information and lingering mistrust between the government and private media. They called for increased inclusion of private media in government briefings and stressed the importance of joint efforts to create a more conducive environment for media operations.
