Addis Ababa, February 16, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - Information Minister announced that mass media time allocation among different political parties contesting in the forthcoming national by-election and local election to advance their causes would be fair

The various political parties discussed here on Saturday on a directive governing the allocation of mass media time for election campaign.

Addressing the discussion, the Minister, Berhan Hailu said contesting political parties would be provided media access during the elections. Berhan said the fair distribution of media time among the competing parties would help make the election fair and free, which he said, shows democratic culture has been developing in Ethiopia.

The Minister said those political parties who have parliamentary seats in the House of Peoples Representatives and those will compete in the upcoming election would enjoy from the privilege of mass media time allocation.

Accordingly, certain time of the total time allocated for election campaign will be apportioned among political parties equally. Berhan said the directive would benefit those parties who have better participation and new parties as well.

He further said those parties who need more time for their election campaign other the time allocated by the government would be charged as any other advertisements.

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