Ethiopia highlights media’s role in combating disinformation and data’s importance for migration policy making

Addis Ababa, November 26, 2024 (FBC) – Mr. Mustafe Muhamed, Chief Administrator of the Somali Regional State of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia participated as a panellist in the discussion relating to combatting disinformation to enable the realisation of regular pathways solutions at the 2024 International Dialogue on Migration, held in Geneva on 25th November 2024.

In his speech, the chief administrator outlined disinformation’s impact in realising regular pathways solutions. The nature of disinformation in the countries of origin is mainly overstating the opportunities available at the countries of destination and understating the challenges faced by migrants. While such disinformation exposes migrants to following irregular pathways at the origin, the disinformation at countries of destination has to do with perceived threats of migrants, increasing political polarization and xenophobia.

He underlined the importance of the role of the media in combatting disinformation and the use of reliable data in shaping policies of Governments at both ends.

The regional administrator briefed gathering on the important step taken by Ethiopia in establishing the Ministry of Labour and Skills and setting up of labour information system linking demand and supply which has enabled Ethiopian migrants to choose the legal pathways.

Mr. Mustafe also reminded that Ethiopia hosts over one million refugees and migration is taken as a positive pathway for economic development.

According to the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia in Geneva, Mr. Mustafe was invited to this IDM session which aims to bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including states, international organizations, civil society, the private sector as well as migrants and communities to promote global, multilateral and forward-looking discussion on how to harness the opportunities and address the challenges of migration