US Speaker addresses Addis Ababa University, School of Journalism on “Ethics, Governance, and the Role of the Media” (10/16/07)

U.S. Speaker Dr. Makonnen Haddis, award-winning public educator, consultant and poet, spoke to 20 students and faculty at the Addis Ababa University School of Journalism on October 16, 2007 on “Ethics, Governance and the Role of the Media.”  As part of his presentation, Dr. Mekonen read two of his poems devoted to democracy, “The Secret” and “Requirement for Progress.”  Following the presentation students asked questions about the role of free press, private press, public press and Government press.

Students and faculty commented that they were impressed with the level of dialogue and discussion that followed the lecture.  The discussions reflected on the current level of professionalism in the media in Ethiopia, a country undergoing a democratization process.  Dr. Mekonen stressed the role that students would play after graduation when they join the media sector.  He urged professionalism and balanced reporting, as well as the need for serious research for credible information. 

Some attendees were intrigued by the speaker’s concept that citizens were made, not born, and, therefore, needed civic education.  Some graduate students said they found the lecture to be very useful, and directly relevant to their theses.