Dr. Endalkachew Chala is an assistant professor of Communication Studies who has written on the intersection of technology, international communication and storytelling. His early scholarly work includes Play Station Video Games amongst Ethiopian Children: Digital Playing: An Investigation into Popularity of Play Station Video Games amongst Ethiopian Children in Addis Ababa. In addition to his research about digital media, Dr. Chala is a scholar who specializes in non-profit public relations and the way social movements framed in media. While his geographical area of expertise is Horn of Africa with primary focus on Ethiopia, he also looks at, weaves in, and analyzes political, technological and economic connections highlighting the longstanding connection of Ethiopia to other countries in Africa as well as to Ethiopian diaspora.
Latest posts by Endalkachew Chala
25 May 2020
How identity-driven conflicts fuel Ethiopia's incendiary social media rhetoric
Unity Park aimed to tell the story of all Ethiopians and celebrate the country’s diversity. But social media revealed politicized, nationalistic reactions along ethnic lines: Amhara and Oromo.
22 November 2019
In Ethiopia’s disinformation epidemic, the crumbling ruling coalition is the elephant in the room
As acts of communal violence that took place in Oromia in October subsided, a new battle began online over interpretations of the violence — and who was to blame.
18 October 2019
How Ethiopia's ruling coalition created a playbook for disinformation
Manipulation tactics used by Ethiopia's ruling coalition members against each other in their internal power struggle serve as a blueprint for opposition groups to attack their opponents and the government.
13 September 2019
A proposed administrative shift in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church stokes ethnic, religious tensions
Oromo clerics say the EOTC expects Oromo churchgoers to worship in Ge’ez, the church’s liturgical language, or Amharic, the working language of Ethiopia's federal government.
29 August 2019
Months after pledge to open internet, Ethiopia disrupts connectivity amidst communal violence, tension
Ethiopian authorities have resorted to shutting down entire networks in response to recent ethnic and political tensions. A lack of transparency makes it impossible to challenge.
7 August 2019
In Ethiopia, disinformation spreads through Facebook live as political tensions rise
Online conspiracy theories, political rants and rumors laced with communal hatred are now common genres in Ethiopian social media.
28 May 2018
How ‘African’ is Northern Africa?
"Why are Africans from north of the Sahara sometimes not considered definitively 'African'?"
20 January 2018
Leaked Documents Show That Ethiopia’s Ruling Elites Are Hiring Social Media Trolls (And Watching Porn)
The leaks include a list of individuals who appear to have been paid to promote the ruling coalition on social media.
8 January 2018
The Untimely Death of an Exiled Ethiopian Journalist
"His reward for having conscience in a country that criminalises it was torture & death in exile."
3 January 2018
Growing Popular Opposition Continues to Put Pressure on Ethiopia’s Ruling Party
"2017 was the year of the Oromo People's Democratic Organisation...The OPDO was able to shake the puppet label and actually prove to be quite vocal in #Ethiopia's political arena."
16 December 2017
Political Uncertainty as Protests Spread in Ethiopia
"This TPLF machination has certainly run out of steam. TPLF must go! The country needs orderly transition before it's too late."
18 October 2017
Ethiopia’s Parliament Speaker Resigns Over ‘Disrespect’ to Oromo People. Is the Balance of Power Shifting?
"...his resignation is like throwing a gasoline to the fire that is already out of control. It is a historical step that signals and symbolizes end of OPDO's submission..."
18 September 2017
The Conflict in Eastern Ethiopia, Explained
The latest conflict in Ethiopia killed at least dozens of people and displaced thousands. The cause of the violence again was scarce water and land resources.
25 August 2017
Residents of Ethiopia's Oromia Region Strike to Demand Release of Political Prisoners
Normally crowded streets and shops were empty as Oromos stayed home from work.
1 August 2017
Ethiopia’s Anti-Graft Campaign is Rife with Ethnic Tensions
"There are practically no non-corrupt officials. Those arrested are corrupt, and most of the top officials who are leading the anti-corruption campaigns are also corrupt."
19 July 2017
A Water Weed Is Damaging Ethiopia's Largest Lake and Putting Livelihoods at Risk
The lake has become a symbol of the dire state of Ethiopia’s natural resources at a time when Ethiopia’s fast-growing population needs more of everything.
Ethiopia's Music of Resistance Stays Strong, Despite Repression
Amid wide-scale protests and a violent government crackdown, Afan Oromo musicians have begun to rise as a visible — and audible — driving inspiration for the opposition movement.
14 July 2017
Ethiopian Musicians Charged With Terrorism for ‘Inciting’ Song Lyrics
In the face of government repression, Afan Oromo musicians have risen as a visible -- and audible -- source of inspiration for the opposition movement.
7 July 2017
The Fraught Relationship Between Ethiopia's Capital City and Largest State
A bill seeks to redress historical injustices inflicted on the Oromo people since the establishment of the capital Addis Ababa inside their state. Does it go far enough? Too far?
21 June 2017
As Deadline to Leave Saudi Arabia Nears, Ethiopian Workers Trapped Between Two Bad Choices
"It is horrifying that most Ethiopians have not shown an interest in returning home despite risk of violence."
