AAU Holds a Panel Discussion on Crisis Reporting and Diplomacy
School of Journalism and Communication of Addis Ababa University (AAU) held a Panel Discussion on Crisis Reporting and Diplomacy at Nelson Mandella Hall on December 6, 2021.
Mitikie Molla (PhD), Research and Technology Transfer Vice President of AAU, said in her welcoming address that higher education institutions should be major platforms for the transmission of knowledge-based information to the society based on their knowledge and research resources.
As Dr. Mitikie suggested, it is better that the government should take action on individuals and some private media outlets that are currently disseminating irresponsible violent news and messages on social media and sometimes on the mainstream media.
She said that any individual or institution should be careful not to spread any message or report that could endanger the community and the country without due diligence. Appropriate and legal based actions should be taken if an institution or individual disseminates provocative and hateful news in the media, she added.
“As our university has an intellectual perspective on what needs to be done to address the current political situation, it has organized a series of workshops in which our scholars can analyse the political process so that the society can understand and the system can be guided by knowledge,” Dr. Mitikie said.
Honourable Ambassador Dina Mufti, Spokesperson in the FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in his reflection on “The Role of Media in Diplomacy” said that diplomacy is an international communication key tool for a country to safeguard its political, economic, cultural and military interests / benefits.
“Digital diplomacy is a major means of communication that enhances the interaction and clarity of communication between different actors across the world,” Ambassador Dina stated.
Honourable Mohammed Al Arusi, Member of House of People’s Representatives, in his speech on “Promoting National Interest on the International Media”said,“We should not waste time by analysing the false propaganda spread by the Western Media in Ethiopia and that we should create our own influential media outlets.”
Mr. Al-Arusi explained that the Western Media is for obvious reasons a major tool for intimidating and putting pressure on governments before imposing economic and military sanctions on Africa and the Middle East.
Getachew Nigatu, Political Communication Expert, in his exposition entitled “Psychological Operations and The ‘CNN Effect Theory’ in Practice”reflected that in addition to the war waged by the terrorist group, the West has also launched a psychological war to bring Ethiopia to its knees through its untruthful and digital media, but Ethiopia is defending itself in a scientific manner.
“The Ethiopian government, the people and all those who love Ethiopia should work hard to control and defeat the Western social media reports that are being distorted and tarnishing the image of Ethiopia,” Getachew urged finally.
Source: Addis Ababa University