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| Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency |
| Formed | 1940s |
| Jurisdiction | Addis Ababa |
| Headquarters | Addis Ababa |
Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency is the national public broadcaster historically based in Addis Ababa with roots in the mid-20th century expansion of Ethiopian Empire communications and later development during the Derg era and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The agency has interacted with international broadcasters such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle, Radio France Internationale, and Al Jazeera, while operating domestic networks that reach regions including Amhara Region, Oromia Region, and Tigray Region. Its mandate touches cultural institutions like the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Addis Ababa University, and national events such as the Battle of Adwa commemorations and the Ethiopian Millennium celebrations.
The broadcaster originated during the reign of Haile Selassie when radio transmitters were established alongside diplomatic missions from United Kingdom, Italy, United States, France, and Soviet Union interests in Addis Ababa. During the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, early transmissions were disrupted, and post-World War II reconstruction paralleled initiatives by United Nations agencies and technical assistance from BBC World Service and Voice of America advisers. Under the Derg military junta, the service expanded into television influenced by partnerships with Soviet Union and East Germany broadcasters, later transforming after the 1991 fall of the Derg amid interactions with the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front political realignment. In the 2000s and 2010s, the agency engaged with International Telecommunication Union, African Union, Commonwealth of Nations media forums, and private broadcasters including Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation competitors during periods of media liberalization and conflict such as the Tigray conflict.
The agency's governance structure has reflected legislative acts passed by the House of Peoples' Representatives and oversight by ministries including the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Leadership appointments have involved figures from administrations led by Meles Zenawi, Hailemariam Desalegn, Abiy Ahmed, and interactions with parliamentary committees and civil society groups such as Ethiopian Media Authority advocates and unions like the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association. Organizational departments align with international models from entities like British Broadcasting Corporation and Radio France Internationale, while coordinating with regional bureaus in Amhara Region, Oromia Region, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, and Afar Region.
The agency operates multiple radio and television channels spanning shortwave, FM, and terrestrial television, alongside satellite distribution via platforms used by Eutelsat, Intelsat, and partnerships with African Union satellite initiatives. Radio services target Amharic language, Oromiffa, Tigrinya, Somali language audiences and diasporas in United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa. Television channels provide national news, regional programming, sports coverage linked to organizations like the Ethiopian Football Federation and events such as the All-Africa Games, and cultural programming for festivals like Meskel and Timkat. The network infrastructure interconnects with broadcasters including BBC World Service, Al Jazeera English, CNN International, and regional outlets like Nile TV International.
Content ranges from news bulletins covering institutions such as the House of Federation and major figures including Negasso Gidada and Sahle-Work Zewde, to cultural documentaries featuring Lucy (Australopithecus) discoveries and exhibits at the National Museum of Ethiopia. Educational series have collaborated with Addis Ababa University, Ministry of Health public campaigns on malaria in coordination with World Health Organization, and agricultural outreach with Food and Agriculture Organization. Entertainment programming includes dramas drawing on works by authors like Haddis Alemayehu and adaptations of folk traditions from Abyssinia chronicles, while sports broadcasts cover tournaments organized by the Confederation of African Football and domestic leagues affiliated with the Ethiopian Football Federation.
Technical evolution incorporated transmitters from manufacturers such as Thales Group and Harris Corporation, and migration from analog terrestrial to digital terrestrial television in line with International Telecommunication Union recommendations and the Geneva 2006 Agreement spectrum planning. Studios in Addis Ababa house production equipment compatible with standards from European Broadcasting Union, and the agency has invested in satellite uplinks, microwave links connecting regional stations in Gondar, Bahir Dar, Mekelle, and Dire Dawa, and backup facilities to withstand disruptions like those during the Eritrean–Ethiopian War and the Tigray conflict.
Funding streams historically combined state appropriations approved by the House of Peoples' Representatives, advertising revenue regulated by the Ethiopian Communications Authority, and project grants from international donors such as the United Nations Development Programme, European Union, and bilateral partners like United Kingdom aid programs. The agency has explored license fee proposals similar to models used by British Broadcasting Corporation and mixed commercial-public funding approaches used by broadcasters like Australian Broadcasting Corporation, while balancing mandates from ministries including the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
Critics have cited editorial bias during administrations of Mengistu Haile Mariam, Meles Zenawi, and more recent governments, raising concerns in reports by organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch. Accusations include state influence over news output during crises like the Ethiopian Civil War (1974–1991), coverage disputes in the Ogaden conflict, and constraints on journalists implicated in cases reviewed by the High Court of Addis Ababa and legal frameworks including the 2019 Media Proclamation. International reactions have involved statements from United States Department of State, European Commission, and advocacy by diaspora groups in United States and United Kingdom.
Category:Mass media in Ethiopia