Israel’s Welfare and Social Services Minister Isaac Herzog announced on Wednesday that plans were already under way to expand broadcasting hours for the Israel Broadcasting Authority’s Amharic-language radio show despite recent cutbacks to the national broadcasting body.
Speaking at the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women, which was discussing domestic violence in the Ethiopian community, Herzog said that as minister responsible for the financially strapped IBA he had already met with Israel radio chief Yoni Ben-Menachem to discuss a joint venture that would expand the hours of the Amharic-language broadcast. Funding for such a project would most likely come from the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services, said a spokeswoman for Herzog.
Herzog said he believed that the radio station was an essential tool to help ease some of the Ethiopian community’s social problems and assist them in the absorption process. According to Tsega Melaku, Director of the Amharic and Tigrnga Service, 90 percent of the Ethiopian immigrant community listens to the two hours of radio that are broadcast daily at lunchtime and in the evenings.
“Most of the community does not have access to newspapers or television,” she said, highlighting the large number of immigrants that are illiterate and rely on her service for vital information. “We do not only broadcast news but also act as a guide for new immigrants regarding all areas of their new life,” said Melaku.
(Source: Jerusalem Post)
on Dec 1st, 2007 at 21:07
Perhaps some background should be added here: All foreign-language programming from IBA is meant for domestic audiences now, with the exception of Persian which is the only remaining foreign service. And recently Bezeq, the Israelian telcom company which also runs the shortwave broadcasting transmitters, told that IBA has cancelled all shortwave transmissions, effective Jan 1st 2008.
So don’t be surprised about this report not referring to the current situation in Ethiopia at all: It’s about domestic broadcasting only.
on Nov 2nd, 2008 at 15:51
it\’s good news for all our peoples in at home in israel and here out side israel
thank you for all i\’m ethiopian israelie i love my beloved israel and i fill so sorry
for my ethiopian jwes they stragled in africa for long time i lost all my fam on the way to israel i was born in no mans land we are the people who can change our on fetur
the same time we need help from thos aho are knowen for what we are going thrgh
thank you for all.
on Dec 12th, 2010 at 07:43
you have to expand the services for BetaIsraeal, to know everything.The amharic services is give them in Israeal to fell them better to understand them very well about Israeal.As the same time we listen the program out side the Israeal about our nation,peace ,prograce,and well being.I love you the Israeal people and the government.peace for you for ever!train and change that people that is god for you and for Ethiopia. this effert will lead us people to people relation and a producation of commen nation in diffrent geographic location.