Captive Audience Scenarios in Ethiopia: Some Observations

Abstract

Captive audience situations are conditions in which someone is exposed to
speech that he does not want to listen to and speech that is contrary to his
foundational beliefs. Captive auditory scenarios are pervasive; we encounter
these in our daily routines. We find these situations in workplaces, taxis and
buses, cafés, and on cell phones and TVs, to mention a few. Keeping aside
their pervasiveness in our daily lives, captive audience situations entangle
our basic freedoms like freedom of expression and freedom of religion and
beliefs. Captive audience speeches have their own protagonists and
detractors. While some argue that they are expressions and so demand basic
protection, others hold that foundations of freedom of expression do not
support them at all.This article depicts the concept of captive audience,
analyzes the Ethiopian experience at the backdrop of comparative experience
and concludes that captive audience situations are in the making in Ethiopia
and the laws are not as such full-fledged enough to protect individuals. It then
concludes that captive audience situations need to be clearly addressed on the
face of religious extremism and intrusive and irresponsible expressions
encountered on a daily basis.