Ethiopians still looking for answers on Meles
By <
http://cpj.org/blog/author/tom-rhodes> Tom Rhodes/CPJ East Africa
Consultant
31 July, 2012 - 05:11
Since I published a
<
http://cpj.org/blog/2012/07/where-is-ethiopias-meles-zenawi-the-public-does
nt.php> blog last week on the lack of information about the health and
whereabouts of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, readers have deluged
it with comments (over 175 as of today), reflecting the pent-up interest in
the premier's status and deeply divided views of his leadership.
For weeks, Meles' situation has been in question. International reports have
claimed he is
<
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/ethiopia/940
9417/Meles-Zenawi-Ethiopian-prime-minister-critical-in-Brussels-hospital.htm
l> seriously ill at a hospital in Brussels, while the local and exile press
have reports ranging from Meles being on
<
http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/News/meles-on-holiday-abroad.html>
holiday to having <
http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/39689> already
died. A state press conference left reporters disappointed, with no new
information other than claims that Meles was "recovering" and would be back
at work in "
<
http://www.addisfortune.net/Meles%20Back%20to%20Work%20in%20Days.htm> a few
days"--more than a week ago.
Comments on the blog echo the contradictory news reports; some claim he is
dead, others follow the government line that he is resting and will return
soon, and one even claims he is in a cave. Whether supporters or detractors
of the prime minister, all commenters seem hungry for answers, refuting the
idea that a news blackout quells the public's demand for information. "If
Meles is alive as a respected Prime Minister, why doesn't he come out and
speak to the people?" writes one commenter using the name Dang. "He needs to
have a slice of respect to the people. This kind of disrespect doesn't take
him any further."
Others blame the Western media for not bothering to investigate the matter
properly despite having more resources and freedom to make inquiries than
the local press. "Why have the credible international medias such as BBC and
Associated Press failed to investigate and reveal the truth about the
absence of Meles? The media is biased and do not seem to care at all for the
poorest nations in the world," writes a user named Tariku. It's telling that
none of the readers appear to directly criticize the local press for its
inability to uncover the truth. They seem to know that access to information
and opportunities for investigative journalism in Ethiopia are limited--so
much so that the whereabouts and health of the country's driver remain a
mystery.
Just as thoughts on Meles' health and whereabouts are divided, opinions of
his leadership appear to be deeply polarized. Few commenters appear to
convey a balanced opinion--all are either his vehement devotees or
detractors.
If the disparate comments on the blog are anything to go on, the lack of
detailed official explanation has created confusion among the public and
allowed speculation and rumor to take precedence. Some commenters claim that
CPJ is contributing to the speculation and harboring anti-government
sentiments, but this is not the objective. The Ethiopian electorate has the
right to know about the undertakings of elected officials, including whether
they are fit to run the country. It is a right under the Ethiopian
constitution. As the English weekly
<
http://www.addisfortune.net/fortune_editors_note.htm> Addis Fortune wrote
in a July 22 editorial, "Informing the public about the activities of
elected officials is, indeed, a state affair. No different can the case be
when it comes to the head of government."
(Reporting from Nairobi)
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Received on Wed Aug 01 2012 - 15:37:46 EDT
