Weekly Message

“Media is the Spirit of a Nation!”

In connection with International Media Day, a series of media-focused forums held over consecutive weeks under the theme “Media Advancement for Narrative Building” have concluded successfully, highlighting the achievements recorded in the sector and the key tasks expected in the future. During the colorful closing forum attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in-depth media perspectives and ideas were presented and discussed, while important messages were conveyed to media professionals and the wider public.

Among the key ideas and messages presented was the notion that media is the spirit of a nation. When this spirit is disturbed, the nation itself becomes unstable; when it is calm and healthy, the country progresses and prospers. In this regard, the democratic space opened over the past eight years has provided not only freedom but also responsibility. Although the media journey has not been without shortcomings, the achievements recorded so far are highly encouraging. In particular, the measures taken to shape the media landscape within a democratic framework have laid a strong foundation for nation-building. Today, our media institutions are expected to move beyond hate narratives and polarization and instead build narratives grounded in truth.

A democratic system is built not only by amplifying similar ideas but also by accommodating opposing views. Therefore, our media networks must move beyond imposing only their own perspectives and become platforms where differences can be addressed peacefully. The shortcomings witnessed in recent years should also serve as lessons. Genuine media advancement is measured by the ability to build bridges among differing ideas and contribute to national consensus. Creating a balanced, people-centered, and independent media environment is a cornerstone of our democratic system-building process.

Moreover, at a time when the world is immersed in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital competition, it is an urgent responsibility for our media institutions to provide technology-supported, in-depth analysis. The government-built national data infrastructure, the “National Cloud,” is not merely a technological foundation but also a safeguard for our sovereignty and information security. Using this foundation, the media must take a leading role in combating misinformation spread through social media and confronting the psychological warfare associated with the post-truth era. A technologically equipped, research-driven, and nationally committed media sector that works tirelessly to build a positive image of the country is an irreplaceable asset for Ethiopia.

Media institutions should focus not on generating heat, but on creating light; not on noise, but on becoming a source of truth and the spirit of the nation. As Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated, “Media outlets that generate heat cannot become light.” Therefore, we call upon our media institutions to move beyond temporary image-building and the promotion of fragmented ideas, and instead prioritize national agendas and shared narratives so that they may become pathfinders of prosperity.

ProsperityParty
May 11, 2026