Yes, "information is power" A reply to Professor Adugnaw Worku comment.

Dear Professor Adugnaw,

I could not agree more when you said "information is power”.   I can even go further and say “Information is the currency of today's world”.   Those who posses OR control information are the most powerful people in the contemporary world as we are believed to live in the so called “information age”.

You see professor, not only information but even a sledge hammer accomplishes various purposes but that will depend on “a man who holds it” as a hammer can be used constructively to build a house OR equally to bash someone’s head for an insane destructive purposes.   Yet if the hammer is not in the man’s hand, the hammer literally does nothing and it should never have been made in the first place. 

But when we are revisiting the “information is power” motto, the reality is what you see will depend on what you are looking for.  In other words, what you believe influences what you see and I believe as educated person you will agree with this reality.

I therefore see your attempt to promote the service of ETN in light of the above.

However, what surprised me most is when your statement which reads “…apparently, our people in Ethiopia are able to watch BBC, CNN, and even Eritrean Network” to me this by itself demonstrates how you are distanced from the reality back in Ethiopia.

I furthermore question your statement which states “…Ethiopian Television Network is an independent entity with no affiliation to any other organization, political or otherwise…” which is not totally true.  In my judgment, in this channel we only see one sided story - especially so when it comes to the contemporary Ethiopian politics.

You yourself made it clear your loathe towards the current Ethiopian government and categorized it as a governing body which “…. spend sleepless nights scheming and conniving on how to keep their people in the dark…”

The above statement is yours and it is a reflection of your own political bias but to my amusement you stated “….I have agreed to serve on ETN’s governing board” which by itself is absurd.

I do admire and respect anyone who promotes our great nation’s proud history and unique culture but I do however question how apparently “… independent and transparent” media such as ETN request you to participate in their governing board with your bias intact.

Yes, Professor "information is power” and it is the currency of contemporary world but accurate and timely delivery of vital information is paramount and hope you can contribute your share by putting your personal biases and preferences aside.

Respectfully yours, Amare 

03/26/09