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.

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.

June 18, 2024 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

This is a virtual conference dedicated to inspiring and educating young activists and change-makers about peacebuilding, human rights, and social justice. The conference will feature renowned speakers, workshops, and interactive sessions, offering a platform for youth to learn, network, and collaborate on initiatives that promote peace and positive change in their communities and the world

June 12, 2023 @ 8:00 am – June 18, 2023 @ 5:00 pm

An online event that brought together Ethiopians online to exchange ideas/messages related to peace and countering disinformation, to mark the UN International Day Against Hate Speech.

On June 18th, 2023, #defyhatenow and Youth Sounding Board Ethiopia hosted #PeaceJam2023, focusing on online safe spaces for digital security. With 183 registrations on Zoom and 910 views during the peacejam week, the event highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration to promote online safety and empower youth. The indirect reach was approximately 10,000 people from shares across the partnering countries and initiatives partners.