Walta Media and Communication Corporate S.C. (WMCC), formerly known as the Walta Information Center, is a prominent media organization based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It plays a significant role in shaping the country's media landscape.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - home to Walta Media and Communication Corporate S.C.
Background and Establishment
Established in 1994, WALTA has built an extensive archive covering Ethiopia in its full length and breadth. The organization aims to provide superior media and communication services to both domestic and international sectors. WALTA is committed to bringing a fresh and innovative approach to news, documentaries, research, and advertisement technologies, acting as a liaison between the public and the media.
Mission and Values
Walta's self-declared mission includes “public relations services,” blurring the line between news and propaganda. It operates based on core values such as hard work, integrity, quality customer service, respect for diversity, and constant creativity and innovation.
Operations and Structure
Walta operates a multilingual news portal, offering content in Amharic, English, and Arabic. It also runs Walta TV, a broadcast station that focuses primarily on social, political, and government-related developments in Amharic. WMCC is financially sustained through government support, channeled via the Prosperity Party’s budgetary ecosystem. Internal records reviewed for this report show that Walta’s total income in 2023 was approximately ETB 434 million (around US$ 7.6 million). Walta’s editorial stance is unequivocally pro-government.
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WMCC is government-owned and operates under a conventional corporate structure led by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and overseen by a board of directors. Although WMCC is legally registered as a share company, all effective ownership traces back to the ruling Prosperity Party, which succeeded the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in December 2019.
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WALTA TV
Walta TV was launched on April 7, 2017. As of 2017, it was one of five channels in Ethiopia to be officially licensed by the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority. Before launching its own channel, Walta primarily provided its locally produced news and documentaries for the national broadcaster EBC (formerly ETV).
Services and Facilities
Walta offers integrated media and communication services, equipped with a well-set production area and state-of-the-art equipment to produce high-quality communication and media services and products.
Affiliations and Ownership
Wikipedia describes Walta Information Center as "a privately owned media conglomerate that is affiliated with the current Ethiopian government."
Table: Key Facts About Walta Media and Communication Corporate S.C.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Establishment | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Languages | Amharic, English, Arabic |
| Ownership | Government-owned, affiliated with the Prosperity Party |
| Key Services | News, documentaries, public relations |
| TV Channel Launch | April 7, 2017 |
| 2023 Total Income | ETB 434 million (approximately US$ 7.6 million) |
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