The DDMAC team is currently is Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, where they join Mulatu Alemayu for a five-day programme to launch the project. The aim of the project launch is to map developments associated with the role of digital media networks across Ethiopia, to present the DDMAC project to key stakeholders, and to further the research in Ethiopia as well as Mali.
Mulatu Alemayu organizes a workshop with media experts on May 17th. The workshop participants seek to investigate what role digital networks play in Ethiopian society and discuss the forms of disinformation and misinformation circulating in the Ethiopian digital ecosystems. The participants will also examine the potential role of conflict on disinformation. Ethiopia is situated in the fragile and conflict-prone region of the Horn of Africa.
In addition to the workshop, the program is as follows:
16th of May: Meeting and presentation of the project at the Norwegian Embassy
17th of May: Workshop: a day of discussions with media experts and focus group interviews.
18th of May: Presentation of the project at Addis Ababa University-SJC and a discussion of the proposed topics.
19th of May: A visit and discussions at fact-checking centers.
Mulatu and Kristin took a leading role in the design of the program. Findings of this research mission will form the basis for Ethiopia-based Mulatu’s contribution to DDMAC. Moreover, the data gathered during the meetings will help the entire team get a better understanding of the Ethiopian mediasphere and kick-start the research.