Ethiopian Federal Laws

A PROCLAMATION TOAMEND THE PROCLAMATION PROVIDING THE DEFINITION OF POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE ORGANS OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to amend the Definition of Powers and Duties of the Executive Organs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Proclamation No. 471/2005;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55 Sub-Articles (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows:

• 1. Short Title

  This Proclamation may be cited as the "Definition of Powers and Duties of the Executive Organs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Amendment) Proclamation No. 546/2007."

• 2. Amendment

  The Definition of Powers and Duties of the Executive Organs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Proclamation No. 471/2005 is hereby amended as follows:

  1. Article 26 of the Proclamation is deleted and replaced by the following new Article 26:
     • "26 Ministry of Information

       The Ministry of Information shall have the powers and duties to:

       1. Direct and coordinate government information and communication activities;
       2. Serve as the main source of government information, disseminate it through various means, and present the stand of the government on national and regional issues;
       3. Organize, coordinate, and promote events that enable forging national consensus and improving the country's image; perform the development of, and disseminate media programs focusing on such activities;
       4. Establish a system to liaise between federal and regional governmental bodies on activities of government information and communication, national image building and consensus, and monitor its implementation;
       5. Perform media monitoring, follow-up reporting trends and environmental scanning, collect and analyze public opinion, and disseminate the same to the concerned bodies;
       6. Coordinate the relationship of media with the Government; ensure the appropriate government organ responds to media requests for information; and facilitate conditions where major national issues, performances, and events get media coverage.
       7. Organize and coordinate public fora to create awareness and transparency on government policies and various national issues;
       8. Facilitate conditions for senior government officials to meet the community in person, and to visit institutions, organizations, events, activity performances, and accomplishments;
       9. Perform capacity-building activities through planning and coordinating training and experience-sharing programs for those engaged in government information and communication, and media expansion;
       10. Provide capacity building and technical support that enables the expansion and advancement of the profession of journalism with the required professional capacity and ethics;
       11. Produce radio and television programs that help to promote government policies and image building; produce and consult on the production of such programs upon the request of other government organizations;
       12. Undertake and consult on performing activities of photography, audio-videography, and the design of logos and printed materials when requested by government offices;
       13. Facilitate conditions for the expansion of the country's media both in variety and in numbers, and for the expansion of its international coverage, as well as for the creation of equal opportunities for peoples and communities inhabiting areas that are in need of special support to access and benefit from government information;
       14. Ensure that broadcast services are provided in a manner that contributes to national development; oversee the compliance of the functions of the regulatory body with legal requirements in expanding broadcast services.
       15. Register and issue certificates of competence to commercial press other than those whose distribution is limited within one region, and issue permits to non-commercial press and monitor their activities to ensure that they conduct their activities in compliance with legal requirements;
       16. Issue permits to foreign newsagents assigned in the country as permanent correspondents by foreign news agencies and ensure their compliance with legal requirements;
       17. Issue permits to foreign journalists and filmmakers who come to the country on temporary assignment and ensure their compliance with legal requirements;
       18. Monitor and regulate advertisements to ensure that they are conducted in compliance with legal requirements and could contribute to national development;
       19. Employ and administer employees holding positions that require unique qualifications in accordance with a salary scale to be approved by the government, and other employees in accordance with the federal civil service laws;
       20. Maintain, as may be necessary, branch offices and agencies in the country and abroad for the purpose of reporting;
       21. Conduct and coordinate research on government information and communication, current political, economic, and social situations, as well as on the implementation of policies; and facilitate conditions for the implementation and utilization of the research findings;
       22. Collect fees for the services it provides in accordance with the law.
  2. The following new paragraph (f) is added after paragraph (e) of Sub-Article (1) of Article 34 of the Proclamation:
     1. "e) The Ethiopian News Agency Establishment Proclamation No. 115/1995 (as amended)."
  3. The following new Sub-Article (8) is added after Sub-Article (7) of Article 35 of the Proclamation:
     1. "8) The rights and obligations of the Ethiopian News Agency established under Proclamation No. 115/1995 are hereby transferred to the Ministry of Information."

• 3. Transitional Provisions

  The Ethiopian News Agency shall carry out its functions and duties in accordance with Proclamation No. 115/1995 until it is incorporated with the Ministry in the new formation.

• 4. Effective Date

  This Proclamation shall come into force upon publication in the Federal Negarit Gazeta.