Ethiopian Diaspora Medias: Head in the sand journalism?

by Teshome Debalke

Abraha Belai of EM served his purpose and should retire with grace. The fact he, after 2 decades of journalism couldn’t evolve as a serious journalist or as democratic Media is enough for him to consider other occupation.

I am passed anger with Head-in-the-Sand journalism in many of our contemporary Diaspora Medias. Everything I see in these so called Medias not only amuse me I sometimes lough hysterically in public places until people think I lost it.

My daily ritual starts with going through the world Medias starting from ESAT and some of the so called online Medias. I skim through the few sites with original content and go on to see the cut-and-paste sites and the usual suspects of the sorry TPLF’s messenger boys’ outlets. Many times, I find myself giggling at first until I can’t control it anymore- laughing my-heart-out when I realize I am in a public place to snap out it and wonder how unfortunate we Ethiopians are with many boozes in a profession they don’t belong

Quite frankly, it isn’t even the Woyane stooge’s infamous online Medias that amuse me as you might think. Not so, after all they are simply delivery boys passing on the rubbish from those doing the real ravage at home. You would think living in the Free World teaches them a thing or two by observing to free themselves from the bondage and learn how the free press works. Instead, they wouldn’t evolve beyond delivery boys living in the most advance society. No wonder they are ashamed to hide their identity.

As sad as it is, it is true; no matter how much knowledge and knowhow some people acquire they won’t evolve beyond being messenger boys. Therefore, you wouldn’t expect much out of them like you wouldn’t expect milk out of jackass.

But, I am talking about the others that wrestle to look serious Medias instead turn into more a comedy Forums or diversion peddlers. Some forget they are Medias catering for the Diaspora at these critical times when they are needed most but completely lost in wonderland entertaining their wishes than covering pressing issues. Others look more like coffee room chat forums than real Media with no original content. Some even go as far as ignoring breaking news from the public as if they are gone on extended vacation until they get what serve their agenda. A couple love to entertain us to forget everything else and dance to their tune.

As I was scribbling I came what I thought was major news posted on EthioMedia titled Ethiopian opposition accuses Eritrea led to abduction of Andargachew Tsege… (No longer posted). I rushed to read it and when I got half way I simply said lord have mercy on EM and ER. What happened to EthioMedia to source ER’s gossip on important matter? I left it as that with amusement when I saw another post a few days later titled “Ginbot 7 discards ER Report as “false and fabricated” posted on Sept 9 with the link -“abduction of Andargachew Tsege” that leads to ER’s original article with EthioMedia Editorial’s note;

“Editor’s Note – This is the first report that has shed light on the mystery surrounding the abduction of Ginbot 7 leader, Andargachew Tsege, from Yemen in June. If there is a drawback to this otherwise exciting story, it is the second last line that invites Isaias Afewerki to investigate the abduction of Andargachew. It’s public knowledge that Eritrean security officials don’t carry out a task of such magnitude without the blessing of Isaias Afewerki. But overall, the credit goes to Ethiopian Review, once an ardent believer that Shabia will help deliver freedom to Ethiopia before it found out a few years ago that it was a wishful thinking.”

Taken by the uncanny EM’s twist from the original bizarre ER report that by its own qualifies for breaking news; I asked how reckless and desperate can two old Media men can possibly be. Though both cannot be considered Free Media, their experience alone should be enough to restrain them from such recklessness. That was preciously I was writing about ‘Head in the Sand journalism’ when I came to the articles.
Puzzled about when EM started sourcing news from ER on such important issue, I did a quick search and found EthioMedia use of Ethiopia Review as sources in only one other occasion on December 18 2010 titled ‘Ethiopian opposition accuses Eritrea of arresting Ethiopian patriots since EM was founded. In addition, EM referred ER in two other occasions.

The 1st was “Elias Kifle responds to Tikur Chaka’s EPPF’ on September 11, 2010 with EM;

“Editor’s Note – Elias Kifle, editor of Ethiopian Review, has in the following piece tried to respond to what Tikur Chaka wrote concerning EPPF and the challenges it is facing in Eritrea. Elias’ response would be more helpful if backed up with an Amharic version because the original reports by Tikur Chaka were written in Amharic.”

The 2nd was in response to Letters to Ethiomedia June 17, 2007

Dear Editor

“Ethiopian Review has an Indian Ocean Newsletter story titled, “Sebhat Nega stirs things up in Ethiopia.” This is nothing but a complete lie which is fabricated and designed to mislead the Ethiopian people into believing that mercenary Zenawi will step aside and TPLF old man Sebhat Nega take over….”

EthioMedia editor responded;

“Editor’s Note – Yes, your letter has more weight than ION’s hearsay designed to confuse Ethiopian communities around the globe. 1) Those naive may talk as if there is a conflict between Meles and Sebhat Nega. Discard this empty talk. 2) Another crap is those who say Meles will not seek another term in office. He is a dictator. And dictators see themselves as presidents for life. On top of that, Meles has a huge responsibility: defending Eritrean independence by controlling Ethiopian power to the end”

The same ER EthioMedia demanded to back up its claim and referred as naïve, the same ER accused of not capable of verifying ION’s report– all of a sudden became a trusted source when he reported Eritrea as the responsible party on the abduction of G7 leader? Incidentally, Elias in many previous occasion accused Aberha Beli of EM as mole of Woyane. For example

On November 27th 2008

Elias of Ethiopian Review posted “The 2008 top 10 political turkeys of Ethiopia # 5. Abraha Belai – exposed himself to be less tribalist than Woyanne only by a small degree”

On September 12th, 2008

Eliais also accused “Abraha is also working hard openly, as well as behind the scene, to make sure that Ethiopian opposition groups, such as Ginbot 7, will not cooperate with the Government of Eritrea. Because any force that comes from the north with the support of Eritrea could completely eliminate Woyanne, instead of reforming it by removing Meles Zenawi. Abraha Belai does not seem to be an ardent Tigrean supremacist like his friend Seye Abraha and other Tigrean elites, but his vehement opposition, and emotional reaction, to any cooperation between Ethiopian opposition group and the Eritrean government is puzzling, to say the least. It should be noted here that Abraha Belai is a strong supporter and admirer, as well as a close friend of Seye Abraha, a former Woyanne military chief who had killed tens of thousands of Ethiopians when he fought on the side of Shabia. So is it his position that only Seye Abraha can deal with Eritreans”http://www.ethiopianreview.com/index/4037

If ER is good enough a source, Could I write an article “Ethiopian opposition accuses EthioMedia of destabilizing Ethiopian oppositions as TPLF mole”? Is what’s good for the goose is good for the gander?

When that is not enough, EthioMedia posted another article of ER ‘Advice to Ginbot 7: Abandon Eritrea!’. Why stop with G7, why not TPDM, OLF, Ethiopian People Patriotic Front possibly many more? why Abraha Belai run around the bush than directly coming out opposing G7 by making his case than hiding behind Elias of ER? After all, many Ethiopians expressed their concerns openly about working with Eritrea.
What could possibly be Abraha Belai of EthioMedia’s real motive? Could it be he for sure a mole of TPLF as ER alluded? Could it be the popularity of G7 has something to do with it? If not, why is he not posting G7 on going worldwide tour or Ethiopians’ Demonstration around the world on behalf of Andargachew? How about the expose of TPLF by the Former Deputy Communication Minster Eremias Legese and his book and many more? How about following up on the ensuing court proceeding in Sweden against the 13 TPLF leaders for genocide? Why the real issues with evidence and facts are missing?

Why is his website post more about ISIS and Al Shabab and irrelevant issues than the pressing matters about Ethiopians under TPLF? Does he have a problem with ESAT too? If not, why is he not sourcing 1000s of ESAT’s news on the ground as he did ER’s gossip?

In my opinion, Abraha Belai of EthioMedia served his purpose and should retire with grace. The fact he, after 2 decades of journalism couldn’t evolve as a serious journalist or as democratic Media is enough for him to consider other occupation.

Head in the sand journalism?

Head in the sand journalism is rampant in our community. There are only two possibility for that to happen; incompetency and delinquency. Incompetency; because they have no clue what Media or journalism is all about by simply looking at as a personal toy to cut-and-paste fantasies, diaries and hobbies. Delinquency; because they conspire to conceal or fabricate important information from the public to advance their own agenda. The latter is serious offence and they should be considered dangerous enough to be watched carefully.

Thus, observing lots of our contemporary Medias making a mockery of journalism and news coverage and absence of organized Media watch warning them to shape up or ship out is appropriate. Not that they would change but, naming-and-shaming is important public service and the right thing to do. I highly recommend every Ethiopian should do the same on the issue. Better yet, forming independent Media watch dog to make the editors accountable is way overdue. After all, Medias have to be accountable just like everybody else.

For those incompetent not to do it right, a remedy is in order.

First, if you claim to be a public Media your boss is the public nobody else. Therefore, if you do not declare openly and transparently whether you are a real Media, a tabloid or a propaganda outlet of one or other interest groups you might as well shape up or shut down.

Second, Journalism is the art of investigation and speaking truth to power not entertainment or diversion. Thus, the primary job of Media is to go after whoever has power not put lipstick on it. You don’t cuddle up with people on power but interrogate them until they farts truth. You must, knock doors, call and show up wherever they and their associate are present to hound them.

Third, journalism is ‘take no prisoners attitude’ thus, if there is smoke (dictatorship) there is fire (crime) that demands investigation. If the suspects hide you go after their associates and interest however difficult it may be and whatever it takes. If they bully you respond in kind, if they threaten you threaten back, the people and the law are on your side. After all, if the brave journalists at home do it to pay the ultimate price what would be the excuse in the Diaspora?

Finally, journalism is not chasing small fishes but frying big sharks. After all, small fishes are snakes for the big sharks and don’t worth wasting valuable time and resources except to remind them of who they are.

The awards winning journalist Christiane Amanpour once said ‘They take journalism really seriously because they know the force that it is and can be’ referring to the depots of the world.

At the meantime, our delinquent Medias are losing their mind cutting and pasting articles from unholy sources. That isn’t journalism but desensitizing and distracting the public from serious crimes being committed by the status qua that need attention. Spinning propaganda isn’t journalism but facilitating escape routes for criminals. Rambling around non-issue is not journalism but diversion. Such kinds of delinquencies might work on unsophisticated people but, not on Ethiopians. Nor it is not new invention but a tried and failed scum many times over.

Thus, delinquency in the name of Media is a serious offence more so than the crimes of the ruling regime itself. The sooner our contemporary Media realize the infraction and the consequences the better. Rationalizing the people are unintelligent to resume transgression is a fatal mistake.

The struggle for freedom and democracy is as simple as 1, 2, and 3. It is the people Verses the Depot. There is no gray area to dance around. There are no excuses to split hair. There no one to point finger at. There are no hyphenated groups or foreigners to hide behind. When it comes to the Media the responsibility quadruples. It is individual responsibility to be-or-not to be for the public interest or the depot is the only question that needs an answer. Noting would change that reality ever. The best one could do is accepting that reality. Anything less is the willingness to prolong atrocities and corruption and spilling more innocent blood.

The article is dedicated to all journalists that suffered on the public’s behalf because of their incompetent and delinquent counterparts. It is a matter of time before they run for a cover.