April 6, 2025 @ 5:30 pm – June 29, 2025 @ 6:00 pm

To counter Mis/disinformation and advance media literacy throughout Oromia, #defyhatenow-Ethiopia is establishing a weekly 30-minute radio show in collaboration with the Shashemene branch of Fana Media Corporation. The program, which will air Sundays at 5:30 PM from March to June 2025, will include AFF-ETH Cohort I fellows creating engaging content in Afaan Oromo that will appeal to young people between the ages of 16 and 35. This content will include expert interviews, listener participation segments, and educational debates. This project, which is funded by the EU, makes use of Fana FM 103.4’s audience of over 9 million listeners to enable communities to recognize false information, combat hate speech, and develop critical media consumption practices. Through cooperative local media participation, the initiative emphasizes a shared commitment to building resilient, informed societies.

May 2, 2025 @ 8:00 am – June 17, 2025 @ 5:00 pm

A micro-grant program for alumni of the Africa Fact-Checking Fellowship – Ethiopia (AFF-ETH) Cohort I has been launched by the European Union-funded #defyhatenow-Ethiopia project. In order to enable fellows to carry out community-driven projects and directly transfer their fact-checking and media literacy skills to local communities, this program offers small-scale funding. In order to combat false information and promote critical thinking, fellows will plan and carry out community-specific projects like seminars, awareness campaigns, or the production of digital material. The micro-grant stream increases grassroots resilience against damaging myths and guarantees sustainable knowledge transfer by providing these skilled fact-checkers with tools to increase their effect.

We are excited to invite you to apply for the second cohort of the Africa Fact-Checking Fellowship – Ethiopia (AFF-ETH), an initiative under #defyhatenow Ethiopia, funded by the European Union. This groundbreaking Fellowship aims to empower individuals to effectively counter online hate speech, incitement to violence, and the spread of disinformation/misinformation.

This program is designed to deliver three distinct fellowships across different regions of Ethiopia. The first fellowship was successfully completed in Oromia, featuring a blend of online and in-person training sessions. This second three-month cohort will focus specifically on participants residing in the Tigray region.

This second three-month cohort specifically focuses on participants residing in the Tigray region.

Eligibility Criteria

• Digital Literacy: Basic computer skills and regular internet access via smartphone, personal computer, or both.
• Social Media Presence: Active on at least two social media platforms.
• Language Proficiency: Fluent in English and Tigrinya.
• Residency: Must be currently based in Tigray Region.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience and expertise in at least one of the following areas: media, peacebuilding, civic engagement, or conflict resolution.

Kindly complete this form to apply for this valuable opportunity.

October 10, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

On October 10, 2024, AFF-ETH fellows initiated a strategic relationship with Shashemene Fana Radio against misinformation. This collaboration will use the radio station’s platform to upgrade fact-checkers’ work and educate the public for strengthening digital resilience in the West Arisi Zone and Surrounding in the Oromia region. #FactChecking #DigitalResilience

October 10, 2024 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

An inspiration to create the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Club is shared with Shashemene Catholic Hibret High School on October 10, 2024 through the participation of the AFF-ETH fellows. In the same way, with the school principal and local stakeholders, it works for the establishment of the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) club aimed at arming 15-18-year-old students with the necessary critical media skills in combating misinformation and hate speech. #MediaLiteracy #YouthLeadership #MILClub.

October 10, 2024 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am

October 10, 2024, Arica Fact Checking Fellows – ETH fellows held an engaging round table discussion at Tamra for Social Development with the participation of over 30 youth volunteers to discuss ways of safekeeping from misinformation and hate speech. Participants coming from modeling, theater, literature, and music presented personal experiences and emphasized that solutions to misinformation should come from the youth in the Oromia region. #YouthEmpowerment #EndMisinformation #CommunityEngagement”

October 11, 2024 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

We graduated our first cohort of the Africa Fact-Checking Fellowship (AFF-ETH) on October 11, 2024, in Shashemene, Oromia Region. The fellows spoke of their works and future actions like tackling hate speech, addressing gender-based disinformation, and promoting media literacy in Ethiopia. Certificates were distributed by the #Defyhatenow project leaders and EU representatives, one more step in the journey to facilitate digital resilience and empower local fact-checkers. #AFFGraduation #MediaLiteracy #DigitalResilience.

This program bridges the gap between information seekers and trustworthy sources. In an era of rapid digital transformation, misinformation abounds, and critical thinking skills are more crucial than ever. Our vision is simple: empower these fellows to become beacons of accuracy and integrity.

March 18, 2024 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

A workshop to design a training program for fellows on fact-checking, countering hate speech, and using media tools.

The workshop included journalists, researchers, and others to map out the AFF program. They identified key areas like fighting disinformation and online abuse and contributed to a preliminary curriculum framework with learning goals and assessment ideas.

March 25, 2024 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Currently seeking participants from Bahir Dar and its surrounding areas for our workshop. We invite Journalists, Civil Society Leaders, local Youths, Women from grassroots organizations, Women with Disabilities, and University Students to join us in this enriching event.