Addis Ababa University (AAU) School of Journalism and Communication celebrated its 25^th anniversary (Silver Jubilee) at Eliana Hotel where a number of senior scholars and researchers of the school, as well as journalists and invited guests of honour participated on the 15^th of Sept. 2022.

Amanuel Alemayehu (PhD), Dean at College of Humanities, Language Studies and Journalism and Communication, in his welcoming remark said that the school in its 25 years of journey has produced many graduates who have been making significant contributions to the development of national economic and social activities, especially in the fields of literature, public relations, media, language and diplomacy.

The dean stated that School of Journalism and Communication is doing a lot of work in developing the journalism profession in a way that takes international competitiveness into consideration.

“In the field of teaching and learning, our school is producing professionals with various skills for media institutions and other offices in our country by teaching in formal and non-formal programs from undergraduate to postgraduate levels,” Dr. Amanuel added.

He further explained that the school is providing training in public relations and media ethics based on requests from governmental and non-governmental offices.

 “We believe that by opening radio and television programs that are competitive with the media in our country and by doing activities that can generate more internal income, our college will play an important role in enhancing its self-management capacity,” he said.

Abdulaziz Dino (PhD), Head of the School of Journalism and Communication in his presentation said that AAU’s School of Journalism and Communication has contributed many communication and journalism experts and professionals who are fulfilling their professional duties by being employed at the BBC, VOA and other international media.

He stated that the school has established good working relationships with various international institutions, especially with Norway’s NLA College, the Chinese Communication University, and the American Embassy in Ethiopia as well as with the Qatari government and Al Jazeera Media Network.

“Our School of Journalism and Communication is making a professional contribution by participating in various research and capacity building programs in an effort to fill and cover the gaps in the country’s media sector,” Dr. Abdulaziz mentioned.

Mr. Mekuria Mekasha, from School of Journalism and Communication, said that during its tenure, the school has produced thousands of journalism and communication professionals who are providing media services in various indigenous languages in both local and foreign media.

Mekuria stated that the school has contributed many grateful employees who are working at a high level of responsibilities and ranks in many government and international offices as public relations and strategic communication officers as well as advertising experts.

He told the staff reporter that journalists should check and investigate false information on social media and present and transmit news reports that are free of controversy to social media series based on the truth.

“A journalist must be honest. A journalist is the one who searches for factual information based on truth and ethics and presents unbiased and credible news to the community,” he asserted.

“Our journalists should do a commendable job in exposing the slanderous and untruthful reports on social media that can pit one community against another,” Mekuria underlined.

Reporter: Theodros Shewangizaw

Photographer: Andualem Aseffa

Editor: Abraham Girmay