Addis Ababa, July 11, 2024 – In a significant move to boost media cooperation, TV BRICS International Media Network and Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement aims to facilitate information exchange, knowledge sharing, and capacity building between the two organizations.
In his remarks at the signing ceremony, CEO of FBC Admasu Damtew Belete stated that “FBC is dedicated to comprehensive coverage of current events at the national and regional levels as well as fostering a strong connection between the government and the public.”
With its extensive reach, FBC operates national television and radio channels, as well as 10 FM radio stations across various regions in Ethiopia. The organization also caters to an international audience through broadcasts in English and Arabic.
Admasu emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying: “Cooperation with TV BRICS will empower FBC’s audience with accurate information on the emerging multipolar system, Ethiopia’s growing role in the BRICS+ and the latest developments in these nations.”
Moreover, Admasu noted that the partnership will facilitate exchange of best practices between leading international media, which will enhance FBC’s global competitiveness.”
The MoU with TV BRICS will enable FBC to tap into the expertise of international media partners in BRICS+ countries, providing valuable insights into the latest developments in these nations. This cooperation will not only enhance FBC’s global competitiveness but also empower its audience with accurate information on the emerging multipolar system.
Moreover, the partnership will facilitate staff exchanges between FBC and TV BRICS, promoting cross-cultural understanding and exchange of best practices. This collaboration will also support Ethiopia’s growing role in the BRICS+ system by providing citizens with timely updates on how the community functions.
The MoU reinforces the commitment to strengthen economic, social, political, and diplomatic ties between Ethiopia and BRICS+ countries through the dissemination of significant media content.
By producing diverse media content covering the activities of BRICS+ member countries, FBC will help Ethiopians better understand the interests, values, and cultures of their counterparts, thereby fostering stronger cultural and people-to-people relations, he added.
Ms. Janna Tolstikova, CEO of TV BRICS, for her part, pointed out: “The organic, seamless integration of new member countries into the BRICS group is one of the goals of Russia’s presidency in BRICS in 2024. TV BRICS International Media Network is actively promoting the swift inclusion of national media from the new BRICS “ten” into the system of multilateral information exchange and the creation of the common BRICS information space.”
At this stage of BRICS expansion, strengthening the role of the group in the international relations system is particularly important to provide national media of BRICS countries with access to the worldwide audience and entry into the global media space, Janna Tolstikova said.
“We expect that, thanks to the professional work of the FBC editorial team, Ethiopia’s economic and humanitarian agenda will become available to the media audience not only in BRICS countries but also in partner states, including in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and worldwide», -Janna Tolstikova added.
The TV BRICS international network was created in 2017 on the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which received the support of heads of state at the IX BRICS summit in China.
TV BRICS is the newest system of regular information exchange between the media of the BRICS+ countries. Media partners interact through the TV BRICS multilingual portal and the 24-hour TV channel of the same name.
TV BRICS is headquartered in Moscow, Russia.
More than 70 media outlets from many countries have already joined the TV BRICS network: Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, UAE, as well as Argentina, Armenia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Cuba, Mozambique, Tunisia, and Chile.
The total technical coverage of the TV BRICS partner network exceeds 1.5 billion users. The mission of TV BRICS is to strengthen co-operation between the BRICS countries and disseminate objective information on humanitarian and economic activities of the BRICS member states and partners.
TV BRICS is an official partner of the United Nations, a member of the Organising Committee for the preparation and provision of the Russian Chairmanship of the BRICS association in 2024.
As an international partner, TV BRICS provides communications and information support for major international events in the BRICS+ countries, media support for the activities of government authorities, cultural and higher education institutions, public and non-profit organizations.
By Wondesen Aregahegn