From: michael seium (michael.seium@gmail.com)
Date: Mon Feb 01 2010 - 22:12:36 EST
Great Leap Forward By The Eritrean Mass Media
Written by Sirak Habtemichael
In this era of globalization where the world is being swayed by the power of
information with each passing day, the Eritrean Ministry of Information is
striving vigorously to build a competitive media outlet. A mass media that
serves the truth and is acceptable at the regional and international level.
This is a story of commitment, dedication and the realization of a vision
that started with only a microphone and a few wires in the mountains of
Sahel. This is the story of the Eritrean Mass Media that began from scratch
and developed to the peak of information technology and digitalization.
Effective tasks have been carried out by the Ministry of Information as
regards to conveying messages of peace and development to the people of the
region to uphold the cause of justice and truth as well as to strengthen the
unity of the Eritrean people. The ministry has been and still is engaged in
transmitting information that portrays the peaceful nature of the people of
Eritrea and one that reflects the reconstruction process across the
nation. Its contribution in preserving and endorsing cultural heritage and
norms of the society is crucial. In fact the Eritrea Mass Media has
registered remarkable outcomes in different arenas. The pace of modernizing
the Ministry’s infrastructure in all standards has been gradual, but is
without a doubt gaining strong momentum.
To begin with, the number of Eri-TV channels, days and hours of broadcast
has been improving vastly through time. Determined to reinforce the
contribution of media works, the Ministry has set up a second television
channel for use within the country, while Eri-TV Channel One has been made
available globally 24 hours a day via satellite. Recently, the Ministry
introduced modern technology and digitalized system to expand its scope. The
fully digitalized Newsroom with computerized network connection as well as
the recent transformation of the Radio-Voice of the Broad Masses to a
digitalized system attests to this fact.
The progress of the Eritrean Mass Media isn’t restricted to television and
radio but can also be seen in the modernized methodology that has been
introduced in the printing press. Parallel to this, the various programs
disseminated through radio in twelve languages, including all the Eritrean
ethnic languages, aiming at satisfying the demands of the audience is
noticeable.
The Voice of the Broad Masses Radio is available to audiences across the
world via satellite, cable as well as radio in three channels. Furthermore,
the Ministry has set up a competent Journalism Training Center in a bid to
constantly upgrade its human resources. At various times the Ministry has
offered and is offering at this very moment trainings in collaboration with
other partners.
Developing human resource is one of the top priorities of the Ministry to
ensure quality work. For that reason, the Ministry has been and is sending
staff members for further vocational trainings abroad.
To attain the commendable achievements it has registered thus far, the
Eritrean Mass Media had gone through immense adversities. History attests to
the fact that the current stage the Eritrean Mass Media enjoys did not
happen overnight. Eritreans took the first step to join the mainstream of
modern mass media in the liberated area of Sahel, Fah. On 1st of January
1979, The Voice of the Broad Masses (Dimtsi Hafash) was launched. Prior to
this, the flow of information five or six years into the revolutionary armed
struggle was more of oral recitation, until the circulation of booklets,
which presented the front’s political situation from regional and
geopolitical perspective. It was a call for a peaceful solution for
self-determination. Dimtsi Hafash, the source of hope for the Eritrean
nationals, launched its broadcasting in Tigrinya and Arabic. It was
stationed in a small tent with elementary equipments. The studio was
semi-underground with a folding table and some chairs. It lacked sound proof
systems, which made the pre-recording of the one hour program quite
difficult, not to mention that the recording was done during the night for
fear of enemy bombardment.
The dedication and sacrifice of the writers, broadcasters, technicians as
well as the role of the fuel provision inspectors, switchers and other staff
members had enabled Dimtsi Hafash to persist through the hard and trying
times. Many brave Eritrean fighters gave their lives on different occasions
for the continuity and success of the liberation radio whereby their dream
of launching an EPLF-owned radio station was realized. The stride that began
with simple equipments in a tent that evolved to satellite and digitalized
networks would continue at a great pace challenging the present situations.
Within the premises of the Ministry of Information one can now observe a
reliable media infrastructure for the Radio, Television and Printing Media
Press.
Owing to the dedication and commitment of the liberation fighters who
initiated the voice of hope and to those who carried on the legacy of hard
work and resilience, the vision that started with only a microphone and a
few wires in the mountains of Sahel has been realized.
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