The media-regulatory independent civil society organization, Ethiopia Media Council (EMC) held its general assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 1, 2022.
The Council has 46 members, including those in the capital Addis Ababa and in regions across Ethiopia. In addition, 13 new members have applied to become members of the Council. The members include those who own TV and radio stations, 7 own radio stations only, while 18 members are engaged in print journalism.
Addis Ababa and five regions capacity building 100,000 Euro fund is obtained from the French Embassy in Addis Addis Ababa, according to Amare Aregawi, head of EMC. He stated that 219 journalists have also got training in relation to the coverage of the general election of Ethiopia. Two members of the Council have also travelled to South Africa as part of experience sharing tour.
In his report, Amare stated the activities the Council saying that it has implemented numerous activities including calling on the relevant authorities to release some journalists arrested under the state of emergency, among others. It is stated that the Council has not been able to hold its general assembly last year because of the outbreak of COVID-19, which also led some media in Ethiopia to go bankrupt.
In addition, the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) has also been supporting the formation and activities of the Council since its inception, according to the report presented by Amare. The total asset of the Council which was established in 2019, is now estimated to be around 3.5 million Birr, according to the financial audit report presented.