SECTOR 2

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score: 			

2.6

2.8
All media fairly reflect the voices of society in
its ethnic, linguistic, religious, political and social
diversity.
Linguistic diversity
It is nearly impossible to serve all languages spoken in Ethiopia. In the Southern
Region alone, for example, there are 43 different languages. The state-owned public
media, radio in particular, attempt to provide for linguistic diversity, broadcasting
in a number of languages. Radio Fana, the radio station affiliated with the ruling
party, also uses more than one language.
Economic reasons make it difficult for the private media to provide services in
several languages and therefore they use mainly Amharic, the predominant official
language.
Religious diversity
63 per cent of Ethiopians are Christians, 34 per cent Muslims. The state-owned
and most of the privately-owned media carry hardly any religious content. ETV,
for example, only broadcasts special programmes on the occasion of the most
important holidays of the various faith communities as well as their New Year’s
messages.
In line with the Broadcasting Proclamation 2007, religious organisations are not
given broadcasting licences. They are allowed, however, to publish their own print
media and most of them do so.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ETHIOPIA 2010

33

Select target paragraph3