<p>&nbsp;</p><p>This is Brave New Media – a global podcast featuring journalists and editors from around the world telling their stories as part of our mission to create a healthier media ecosystem.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In series two, we explore stories the critical roles media can play in different contexts - and how these roles impact their relationship with political powers.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Each episode features a specialist who digs deep into the issues uncovered by our Brave New Media outlets, and provides possible solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In this final episode of series two, we meet Argaw Ashine, an Ethiopian journalist who co-founded the media outlet Wazema.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Argaw tells us how Wazema began in exile, after he and the other founders had to&nbsp;flee Ethiopia due to the risky political environment.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But in 2020, taking advantage of a period of media liberalisation in Ethiopia, they decided to return and move Wazema’s operation there.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Argaw explains that after a golden period, when Wazema helped create a more democratic and inclusive space, the outbreak of civil war brought an end to the media freedoms they enjoyed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And now, Wazema faces a constant struggle to uphold the public interest amid the turmoil of conflict.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Our specialist interview for this episode is with Rashwear Mukundu, advisor on African media policy for International Media Support (IMS).&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A transcript of the episode is available here:&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Brave New Media is a co-production between BBC Media Action and Holy Mountain. It’s presented by Maha Taki and produced by Saskia Black. To contact us, email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Show Links:&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://wazemaradio.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wazemaradio.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Wazemaradio" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@Wazemaradio</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.mediasupport.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.mediasupport.org</a>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>