Should this be on every front page? People are starving in this beleaguered African country — yet Western news sources have barely paid the issue any attention.
Desperation in Ethiopia as famine deepens
Should this be on every front page? People are starving in this beleaguered African country - yet Western news sources have barely paid the issue any attention.
Tigray is in crisis. The people of this region in northern EthiopiaA landlocked country in Africa. With a population of about 120 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures. are on the verge of starvation.
This famineA widespread scarcity of food. is one of the biggest crises facing the world today and follows a civil warA war between people from the same country. in which thousands died.
After the war, the United NationsAn international organisation focused on keeping peace. Its refugee agency, the UNHCR, aims to assist refugees around the world. stopped giving food aid packages after many were stolen. A droughtA time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry. began and the harvest failed.
Tigray now faces appalling horrors. And things are set to get worse, with more than 90% of people at risk of starvation.
Yet this has attracted barely any coverage in the Western news. American government newspaper The Hill called it "the famine the world is ignoring".
Today's famine has received no such attention. There are several possible reasons for this.
One is safety. Under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian government has begun cracking down on press freedom. Perhaps journalists do not want to risk their lives?
Or readers might be more concerned about crises that seem closer to home, such as the invasion of UkraineA country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022. , which could spill over into a global war. By contrast, Ethiopia's famine seems local and distant.
Some say that this is no excuse. Newspapers have power to provoke change. They should use it while they can.
Should this be on every front page?
Yes! The Tigray famine may become one of the biggest humanitarian disasters in decades. Press attention could force politicians and organisations to act before it gets even worse.
No! Given how many big crises we face, it is understandable why news sources focus on matters closer to home.
Ethiopia - A landlocked country in Africa. With a population of about 120 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures.
Famine - A widespread scarcity of food.
Civil war - A war between people from the same country.
United Nations - An international organisation focused on keeping peace. Its refugee agency, the UNHCR, aims to assist refugees around the world.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Desperation in Ethiopia as famine deepens

Glossary
Ethiopia - A landlocked country in Africa. With a population of about 120 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures.
Famine - A widespread scarcity of food.
Civil war - A war between people from the same country.
United Nations - An international organisation focused on keeping peace. Its refugee agency, the UNHCR, aims to assist refugees around the world.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.