Gov’t vows to take actions against political parties, media engaged in undermining unity

Addis Ababa, March 9, 2020 (FBC) –The Government of Ethiopia has vowed to take action against political parties and media engaged in acts of undermining national unity.

Hate speech being transmitted at public gatherings and via media pose threats to national unity, said Nigusu Tilahun, a Press Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Nigusu’s remarks came following the transmission of a program organized by the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) via OMN on International Women’s Day.

The program transmitted yesterday violates the constitution and promotes hate among Ethiopians who have lived in harmony for centuries, he told FBC.

The Press Secretary stated that OFC and OMN will take the responsibility for the program. The incident was not only wrong but also a disaster.

The Government will be forced to take proportionate measures against political parties and media engaged in spreading hate, he indicated.

He also called on the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority (EBA) and the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) to take corrective measures against these kind of incidents.

The Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority for its part said it is investigating into the video aired by OMN.

The results will be announced soon and once the investigation is completed, Wondwossen Andualem, Deputy Director General of the authority, told FBC.

“If the results of the investigation indicate wrongdoings, action will be taken against them,” he said.

Wondwossen added that the authority will not tolerate media engaged in promoting division and inciting ethnic conflict.