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Ethiopia to Host African Media Leaders Forum

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Microsoft Word - spi-ami press release final 2011-1The African Media Initiative  announced on Saturday that the sixth African Media Leaders Forum, under the theme  “African media in the last 50 years and the future” will be held  this month in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The National Organizing Committee  co-chair Mimi Sebhatu told journalists that the agendas of the forum include a public debate on the sixth and eighth heads of state round table, intended to provide the media leaders with a unique opportunity to engage the participating heads of state in a stimulating discussion on pertinent media issues, and the African governments’ role in expanding the media.

“African issues are mostly given coverage by other media for African media has no strong structural set up. As African media share common challenges in infrastructure, technology and skill, the forum is expected to create an opportunity for experience-sharing and a chance to tell about our respective countries,” Mimi said.

According to organizers, AMLF is a unique initiative as it is the only forum that brings together private and independent media owners and operators from around the continent.

The participants are expected to discuss opportunities as well as evaluate and recommend means to strengthen the vital role of African media and the future of the industry as well.

Government Communication Affairs Office chief Motuma Temesgen also said that the decision to hold the meeting in Addis was passed unanimously by all AMLF delegates gathered in Dakar, Senegal last year.

He further indicated that the national media could benefit a lot in experience-sharing and networking, as well as technology and skills transfer from journalists coming from all over Africa.

Prime Minister Haile-Mariam Dessalegn, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, AUC Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, AfDB President Donald Kaberuka, UNECA Executive Secretary Carlos Lopes and Amadou Mahtar Ba, AMI chief executive as well as 500 publishers, CEOs, managing directors, editors-in-chief, influential intellectuals and decision makers are expected to attend this landmark annual forum.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald

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