Melaku Berhanu Tesfaye

Melaku Berhanu Tesfaye: A Pioneering Voice in Ethiopian Media, Communication, and Advocacy.

Melaku Berhanu Tesfaye stands as a distinguished figure in Ethiopian media and communication, boasting over 25 years of extensive experience that spans print and broadcast journalism, media management, corporate communications, and strategic leadership. His impactful career is further enriched by his dedicated advocacy for autism awareness and rights, establishing him as a multifaceted leader committed to both professional excellence and social betterment.

Professional Trajectory and Expertise

Born in the Olympia district of Addis Ababa, Melaku’s inherent passion for literature blossomed into a lifelong pursuit of journalism. His academic journey began at Unity University’s School of Journalism and Communication, where he gained foundational insights from U.S. industry professionals. He further specialized in Television Broadcasting, earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Addis Ababa University in 2004. Recognizing the evolving media landscape, he pursued advanced studies, achieving a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications with a specialization in Corporate Communications from Sikkim Manipal University in India in 2013. This commitment to continuous learning is underscored by his participation in over 25 specialized courses in journalism, both nationally and internationally, covering areas such as investigative reporting, media utilization, child rights, development communication, and digital editing.
Melaku’s career commenced at the Metropolitan Police Department, where he significantly contributed to police publications and notably launched the successful television program “Addis Police.” His nearly a decade-long tenure in crime reporting laid a robust foundation for his subsequent roles. He then transitioned to the Ethiopian News Agency, where he steadily advanced from Senior Reporter to News Editor, and ultimately to Team Leader for TV Program Production and Transmission.

A pivotal period in his career was at the renowned Addis Guday Magazine, Ethiopia’s pioneering full-color weekly publication. As a Feature Writer, Columnist, Political Analyst, and Managing Editor, Melaku was instrumental in shaping the print media landscape. His well-researched articles and insightful commentaries, including the political commentary series “Abiy Guday,” the investigative series “Yetafenu Ewenetoch” (The Hidden Truths), the crime stories in “Fekerena Wenjel,” and biographies of the country’s business tycoons in ‘’Businesstainment’’ garnered widespread acclaim from readers of Addis Guday and Rose magazines. His contributions extended to other prominent publications such as Eletawi Addis, Tomar, The Press, Kalkidan, and Ghion, where he consistently focused on critical social, political, health, and criminal issues.

Despite facing significant challenges due to his unwavering commitment to independent journalism, Melaku remained steadfast in his principles, earning profound respect within the field. Following a three-year hiatus from journalism, during which he served as a PR and Communications Manager at GIFT Business Group (2014-2018), he returned to the media sector after the dissolution of the EPRDF. He assumed leadership roles at African Renaissance Television Service (Arts TV), first as News Department Head and subsequently as Chief Operating Officer (2018-2021). During his tenure at Arts TV, he notably produced and hosted the successful political talk show “Abiy Guday” for over three years, further solidifying his influence and leadership in the media industry.
Currently, Melaku serves as the Director of Corporate Communications at Bunna Bank, where he applies his extensive communication expertise to the finance sector, demonstrating his versatility and capacity to drive strategic communication in diverse industries.

Broader Contributions and Advocacy

Beyond his direct media roles, Melaku is a dedicated educator and consultant. He actively contributes to the development of future journalists as a communication and journalism trainer in various training schools and colleges, sharing his profound knowledge and practical experience. He also provides invaluable communication and media engagement consulting services to diverse companies, leveraging his strategic insights to enhance their public presence and messaging. As a seasoned media strategist, he possesses a proven track record in creating compelling content for television media.

Melaku is also a passionate and influential autism advocate. As a Goodwill Ambassador to the Nehemiah Autism Centre, he actively contributes to the community by raising awareness about autism, fighting for autism rights, and educating the public on the critical importance of understanding and addressing, the challenges associated with autism. He utilizes his platform and experiences to shed light on this crucial issue, emphasizing the potential societal impact if insufficient attention is given. His co-authored book, “Ye Autism Mistroch” (Secrets of Autism), further underscores his commitment to this cause.

Literary Works and Thought Leadership

Melaku is an accomplished author, with his published works reflecting his diverse interests and profound insights. He authored the book “Fekerena Wenjel” (Love and Crime) and co-authored “Ye Autism Mistroch” (Secrets of Autism). He has also served as an editor for three additional books focused on family issues. He aspires to publish a series of collected stories, including those on Ethiopian business tycoons, “The Hidden Truths of Addis,” and his political commentaries, envisioning them as valuable learning resources. His social media presence is also notable for his constructive critics on social values, good governance, and political rights. His readers also admired him for his compelling stories about his mother, for which he has won story contests, and his advocacy for family and social values, and journalistic ethics.

Recognition and Influence

Melaku’s career is a testament to his adaptability in a rapidly evolving media landscape, consistently demonstrating a profound commitment to journalistic ethics and communication principles. His significant influence on Ethiopia’s media industry, characterized by innovation, resilience, and unwavering integrity, firmly establishes him as a pivotal figure in the country’s journalistic evolution. He continues to inspire aspiring journalists and plays a vital role in upholding independent journalism in Ethiopia.
His impactful articles, which have significantly benefited his community, have earned him five international, regional, and national awards, including the Global Award from the International Centre For Journalists (ICFJ) for vaccine stories reporting (2013), and the 2nd place finalist and grant winner of the African Story Challenge by the African Media Initiative (2014). He is also a recipient of national reporting contest awards from the Ministry of Health of FDRE (2013), PANOS Ethiopia (2013), and ENHIA (2014), along with grants from the Ethiopian Environment Journalists Association (2013, 2014, 2015) and the ICFP (2016).

He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Ethiopian Editors Guild (former Executive Committee Member), and has served Ethiopian National Journalists Union (former Board Member), Ethiopian Environmental Journalists Association (former Board Secretary), Ethiopian Health Journalists Initiative (EHJI), African Health Journalists Association (EHAJA), and the Ethiopian Family and Reproduction Health Journalists Forum (EFRHJF) (Executive Member).
A dedicated family man, father of three (Senper, Michael, and Amen), and husband to Lidya Tesfaye, Melaku’s life narrative is one of continuous contribution, both professionally and communally, solidifying his standing as a highly respected and influential media professional, communicator, and advocate.