Ethiopia: Your Pictures

Dejene D | JT Diaspora Co-Editor

Photojournalism helps to tell a story using images. In some cases, using a "Photo Essay" can illustrate a story better than regular news articles, and visual journalism can deliver information more effectively. Often, the best of photojournalism products capture verbs, rather than just nouns. Despite the benefits, whether it is casual photographing or professional photojournalism, such forms of art are rare in Oromia, even in its capital Addis Ababa, and certainly in other parts of Ethiopia. Yeroo newspaper (Jimma Times's Qubee Afaan Oromo private newspaper) was one of the first to promote such forms in print journalism, before its suspension in Ethiopia. [Full Story]

To say photojournalism is undervalued in Ethiopia is an understatement. So, is "Supply and Demand" the scapegoat for this problem? Even if technical, monetary and know-how deficiency can be blamed, with the lack of demand for photojournalism products, who dares to blame the supply? Nobody can point fingers at the supplier, especially the average poor Ethiopian journalist who struggles to put food on the table. Even if we minus the security and human rights issues in the country, a journalist can't afford to supply a "commodity" with no demand, especially in this era when the cost of printing has sky-rocketed in Ethiopia.

The lack of photojournalism in Ethiopia is just like the lack of independent journalism and professionalism in journalism. Just like there is no guardian for Ethiopian newspapers who provide original content, there is also no demand for professional and independent journalism among Ethiopians (including those who hate being called "Ethiopians.) This is the reason why most Ethiopians prefer to visit media outlets that promote different Political ideologies than visit independent websites/newspapers. Since the inception of Jimma Times, one of its "unofficial objectives" was to supply (to shove?) as much independent & professional journalism as possible until, perhaps, the Demand for it magically appears. Such independence meant that JT displeased all political sides and attracted no political community. Because of that, as expected, Jimma Times has probably become the most boring Ethiopian news website in the world. But the opportunity to create a widespread demand for independent media in the horn of Africa communities can be the most rewarding motivation of all. Afterall, our ancestors had the Gadaa system, the oldest and one of the most democratic ancient systems, which functioned under independent institutions. But today, independent institutions, like independent media, have no demand among the majority in our community. Similarly, with the low demand for photojournalism products inside Ethiopia, a supplier makes no money inside Ethiopia and thus, does not exist.

There is, perhaps, one solution to these problems.

If the supply is done voluntarily or if the supplier seeks no profit or fame but only supplies just for the sake of doing it, then photojournalism can grow. Maybe after supplying a lot of it repeatedly, the demand for it might also be born. So interested readers (if you enjoy taking pictures of unique experiences and events) can send their pictures to JT for publication and contribute to the development of photojournalism.

In an attempt to promote online photojournalism, Jimma Times established a new feature for a "Photo Essay" last year (Click here to see an example) and added a new sub-section called "In Pictures" under the "SPECIALS" section. Whether you are living in Ethiopia or visiting - of any religion, tribe, nationality - whether from the Diaspora, a tourist or other, you are welcome to send your photos depicting a recent experience, to the address orm [ @] jimmatimes. com 

Especially, during this historic January week, if you are from the Horn of Africa or from the growing number of American families who adopted an Ethiopian child and if you were at the inauguration celebration of President Barack Obama in Washington D.C. or if you have related pictures, you can send your unique pictures to JT to be considered in the publication this week.