Promoting Democracy and Good Governance: The Role of Ethiopian Media and Civil Society ...

130 Pages·2014·1.29 MB·English

PROMOTING DEMOCRACY
AND
GOOD GOVERNANCE:
THE ROLE OF ETHIOPIAN
MEDIA AND
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
Part 1
EDITED BY
DEBEBE HAILEGEBRIEL
&
EMEBET NEGUSSIE
Published in 2014
Copyright © Debebe Hailegebriel Law Office
First printing 2014
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this publication are the sole
responsibilities of the authors.
Cover page Illustration and Page layout
Mistir Fisseha
Preface
The first volume of Promoting Democracy and Good
Governance: The Role of Ethiopian Media and Civil
Society Organizations is a compilation of research
articles contributed by professionals who are practicing or
are in direct contact with the media and civil society sector.
The publication intends to raise the awareness on the role
and functions of the media and civil society organizations
(CSOs) in promoting and enhancing democracy and
development while also serving as a collection of quality
research and writings by experts in the field.
Part 1 of this volume comprises of five articles independently
discussing the contributions, opportunities and challenges
of Ethiopian media and civil societies in undertaking their
primary roles as public agents. The researches provide
invaluable insights into the identified issues and offer
recommendations for improved performances of the
democratic institutions. It is my hope that this very first
volume will be a valuable resource for practitioners and
academia whilst stimulating further research in the areas
discussed or related topics.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest
gratitude to the contributors who unreservedly applied their
knowledge and expertise to provide such credible work.
May 2014
Debebe Hailegebriel
Contributors
Gebremedhine Birega is a strategist, military intelligence analyst and international relations expert
with a BA in Political Science and International Relations and MA in International Relations. With
his rich government experience in international development cooperation, he has worked as Regional
Thematic Coordinator on Seed Sovereignty-Security, Alternatives to Genetic Engineering, Intellectual
Property Rights and Bio-safety for an international NGO- African Biodiversity Network. For the last
thirteen years, he has been active as consumer rights and environmental activist through which he
has been engaged in fighting false solutions like agro-fuels, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
and land grabbing. Currently, he is working as leader of National Consumer Society and Liaison and
Branch Office Coordinator of a local NGO- Wolaitta Development Association. Contact address:
cell [phone] or email at [email protected] or [email protected]
Sileshi Demisew holds a BA Degree in Language and Literature and works at the English News
Department of the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ETV).
Contact address: cell [phone] or e-mail at [email protected]
Debebe Hailegebriel received his LLB from Addis Ababa University Faculty of Law and MA in
Human Rights and Democracy from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He served as Federal First
Instance and High Court Judge for eight years prior to his recruitment with Action Aid Professionals’
Association for the People as the Executive Director of the organization. Later appointed as Governance
Program Analyst by the UNDP, he currently provides legal consultancy services and advisory.
Contact address: cell [phone] or email at [email protected] or [email protected]
Bayuligne Zemedeagegnehu is a PhD candidate in Political Science at Addis Ababa University. He
holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations and MA in International Relations. He has
worked as an Instructor at Adama University and is currently an affiliate lecturer and researcher at
Kotebe University College. Contact address: cell [phone] or email at [email protected]
Dagim Afework holds MA in Journalism and Communication from Addis Ababa University where
he did his thesis on “Media and Democracy in Ethiopia: Roles and Challenges of the Private Media
Since 2005.” Dagim is a lecturer of Journalism and Communication at Addis Ababa University School
of Journalism and Communication.
Contact address: cell [phone] or email at [email protected]
Asemahagn Aseres received his BA in Broadcast Journalism and Communication and MA in
Journalism and Communication from Addis Ababa University and is a Lecturer at Addis Ababa
University School of Journalism and Communication.
Getaneh Mekuanint earned his BA in Broadcast Journalism and MA in Journalism and
Communication from Addis Ababa University and has been the university staff since 2010. He is
currently a Lecturer at Addis Ababa University School of Journalism and Communication.
Contact address: cell [phone] or email at [email protected]
Abel Adamu holds MA in Journalism and Communication from Addis Ababa University and another
in Media and Journalism within Globalization: European Perspective from Hamburg University.
Presently, Abel works as a Lecturer at the School of Journalism and Communication of Addis Ababa
University where he has published a book on “Audience Satisfaction with Ethiopian Television Evening
Amharic Program”.
Content
THE IMPACT OF THE CHARITIES AND
SOCIETIES LEGISLATION ON THE
7-42
PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE IN ETHIOPIA
Gebremedhin Birega
ETHIOPIAN MEDIA AND CSO
COLLABORATION:
43-57
WHERE IT STANDS
Sileshi Demisew and Debebe Hailegebriel
UNDERPINNING THE CHALLENGES OF
STATE-CIVIL SOCIETY RELATIONS IN
ETHIOPIA SINCE 1991 59-78
Bayuligne Zemedeagegnehu
DEMOCRATIC ROLES AND CHALLENGES
OF THE PRIVATE MEDIA IN ETHIOPIA
79-106
Dagim Afework and Asemahegn Aseres
THE RIGHT TO ACCESS TO
INFORMATION:
107-128
THE LAW AND THE PRACTICE
Getaneh Mekuanint and Abel Adamu

Gebremedhin Birega
THE IMPACT OF THE CHARITIES AND
SOCIETIES LEGISLATION ON THE
1
PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE IN ETHIOPIA
Gebremedhin Birega
Abstract
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in general
and environmental CSOs in particular, have
been playing considerable constructive role
in the nation building efforts in Ethiopia. However,
all their contributions are not wholeheartedly
accepted by the government. In 2009, the government
introduced a new law overtly presented to register,
administer and create an enabling environment for
a more meaningful contribution of CSOs/NGOs.
Nevertheless, it has been argued that the introduction
of the new law further weakened the already young
and inexperienced CSO/NGO sector in general and
those engaged in environmental justice in particular.
The main objective of this paper is therefore to assess
the impact of the legislation on NGOs/CSOs engaged
in environmental justice mainly in: limiting areas
of intervention; affecting access to foreign funds
and other forms of support to undertake mandated
tasks; retaining competence including knowledge and
skills; making government answerable to felt needs
of the society; advancing meaningful networking
among CSOs at national, regional and global level
on environmental policy reform issues; downsized
change in amount of budget and skilled staff;
engaging in research undertaking; conducting quality
monitoring and evaluation activities. Based on the
findings recommendations are forwarded with a
view to improving the environmental justice situation
in Ethiopia in the attainment of future sustainable
development of the country.
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The Impact of the Charities and Societies Legislation on the Promotion of Environmental Justice in Ethiopia
I. INTRODUCTION
1. BACKGROUND
Civil society organizations play pivotal role in all aspects of nation building efforts
in their respective countries. These days, civil society is recognized as a diverse and
ever-wider ecosystem of individuals, communities and organizations. Information
and communication technologies have opened up spaces of power, influence and
association to new configurations of actors, leading to a significant growth of civil
society roles (Gemmill, Barbara and Abimbola Bamidele-Izu, 2012: 15-16).
According to World Economic Forum (2013: 9-10) some of the multifaceted roles
of civil society across the globe include but not limited to:
• Watchdog: holding institutions to account, promoting transparency and
accountability;
• Advocate: raising awareness of societal issues and challenges and advocating
for change;
• Service provider: delivering services to meet societal needs such as education,
health, food security; implementing disaster management, preparedness and
emergency response;
• Expert: bringing unique knowledge and experience to shape policy and
strategy, and identifying and building solutions;
• Capacity builder: providing education, training and other capacity building
activities;
• Incubator: developing solutions that may require a long gestation or payback
period;
• Representative: giving power to the voice of the marginalized, voiceless or
underrepresented groups of the society;
• Citizenship champion: encouraging and supporting the citizen to engage in
environmental and social justice promotion;
• Solidarity supporter: promoting fundamental and universal values; and
• Definer of standards: creating norms that shape market and state activity.
Civil society groups engaged in environmental and social justice have been playing roles
comprising of: information collection and dissemination; policy development and/or
reform consultation; policy implementation assessment and monitoring; advocacy for
environmental and social justice. By linking environmental and social justice issues,
the environmental justice approach seeks to challenge the abuse of power which
results in poor people having to suffer the effects of environmental damage caused by
the greed of others. The main objective of environmental justice advocates have been
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