Mis/Disinformation in the Context of the Oromo Protests (feat. Endalkachew Chala)

Assistant Professor of Communications at Hamline University, Endalkachew Chala joins the WBI Show to share his research on digital surveillance, content moderation and mis/disinformation in Ethiopia. 

Transcript Linked Here

**This interview was conducted in August 2020 as part of an deeper investigative look into the history and political climate of Ethiopia as it intersects with data and tech policy. In particular, We Be Imagining is concerned about the role of mis/disinformation on social media platforms like Facebook which fail to provide adequate content and context moderation. However, the slow scholarship this requires was outweighed by the urgency of the current political moment so we are sharing some of the stories recorded then. 

Please note, inclusion in this series in now way indicates agreement among each interviewee or is fully comprehensive of the political history, we  simply aim to provide more nuanced and thoughtful insight given the dearth of coverage. Links and notes are subject to change.

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Host: J. Khadijah Abdurahman
Music: Drew Lewis

Links for the Episode:

How the murder of musician Hachalu Hundessa incited violence in Ethiopia: Part II
In Ethiopia's disinformation epidemic, the crumbling ruling coalition is the elephant in the room
How Ethiopia's ruling coalition created a playbook for disinformation