Authority set to allocate airtime for electoral campaigning

Addis Ababa, December (FBC) –The Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority (EBA) said it is preparing to allocate airtime and print space of media for electoral campaigning.

Dr Getachew Dinku, Director General of EBA told FBC the allocation of airtime for the forthcoming general election will be carried out using new technology.

Dr Getachew noted his authority is waiting for the formula that the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) would present to it after consulting political parties.

Once it received the formula, EBA would allocate the airtime and print space of media using latest software, he indicated.

A meeting with Chairperson of the electoral board was held to discuss preparatory works and the two institutions have formed a team of experts to work together, he added.

According to the Director General, the authority is providing training on election reporting to journalists and heads of media houses.

Bizuwork Ketete, a member of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, said preparation of communication strategy is underway for civic society, political parties and voters.

Bizuwork recently said that the electoral board is making all needed preparations for the 2020 general elections.