Veteran journalist and founding figure celebrated as Oromo-language publication marks 49th anniversary

FINFINNE — The editorial team of Bariisaa Newspaper has paid tribute to Mr. Leencoo Lataa, one of the founding members of the historic Oromo-language publication, honoring his contributions as the newspaper commemorates 49 years since its establishment .

Mr. Leencoo Lataa stands among the pioneering figures who laid the foundation for what would become one of the most enduring and significant Oromo-language media outlets. Bariisaa Newspaper, which began as a privately initiated publication before transitioning to state ownership and now publishes weekly, has reached this milestone through the dedication of its founders and the generations of journalists who followed .

A Journey Through History

In an interview conducted this past Monday, marking the 49th anniversary of the newspaper’s founding, Mr. Leencoo Lataa shared extensive reflections on the establishment of Bariisaa and the challenges it has overcome to reach its current position .

The veteran journalist provided a comprehensive account of the newspaper’s founding era, detailing the vision that animated its creators and the obstacles they faced in bringing Oromo-language journalism to life. His testimony offers valuable historical insight into a period when establishing a newspaper in Afaan Oromo represented both a cultural assertion and a political statement.

Editorial Team’s Tribute

Following the interview, the Bariisaa Editorial Team honored Mr. Leencoo Lataa with a ceremonial covering of a bullukkoo—a traditional Oromo garment symbolizing respect and honor. The gesture acknowledged his foundational role in creating the newspaper that has served as a vital source of information and cultural preservation for nearly five decades .

The editorial team expressed gratitude for Mr. Leencoo’s lifelong commitment to Oromo journalism and his role in establishing an institution that has educated, informed, and connected Oromo readers across generations.

A Call to Future Generations

In his remarks, Mr. Leencoo Lataa expressed appreciation for the recognition and urged the current generation to further develop the newspaper and pass it on to future generations . His call reflects the intergenerational responsibility that has characterized Bariisaa’s journey—each generation building on the work of those who came before, preserving and advancing the legacy.

The veteran journalist’s appeal resonates particularly as Bariisaa approaches its golden jubilee next year. The challenge of maintaining relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape, while staying true to the founding vision of serving Oromo readers in their mother tongue, falls to the current editorial team and the journalists who will follow.

Significance of the Recognition

The bullukkoo covering ceremony carries deep cultural significance within Oromo tradition. The garment, traditionally worn by elders and respected figures, symbolizes wisdom, authority, and the honor due to those who have served their community. By bestowing this honor upon Mr. Leencoo Lataa, the editorial team affirmed his place among the elders whose guidance and example continue to illuminate the path forward.

For the journalists and staff of Bariisaa, the ceremony also served as an opportunity to connect with the living history of their institution. In an era when media organizations often struggle to maintain institutional memory, such moments of recognition help preserve the stories and values that define Bariisaa’s identity.

Forty-Nine Years of Service

Bariisaa Newspaper’s 49-year journey spans multiple political eras, technological transformations, and shifts in the media landscape. From its origins as a privately founded publication to its current status as a weekly state-owned newspaper, it has consistently provided Oromo-language content to readers hungry for information in their mother tongue.

Throughout these decades, Bariisaa has chronicled the Oromo experience, documented cultural and political developments, and provided a platform for Oromo voices. It has trained generations of Oromo journalists, contributed to the development of written Afaan Oromo, and maintained a presence in the lives of Oromo readers both within Ethiopia and across the diaspora.

Preserving the Legacy

The interview with Mr. Leencoo Lataa, conducted by journalist Natsaannat Taaddasaa and published in the special edition of Bariisaa Newspaper dated February 7, 2018 (Ethiopian calendar), represents an important contribution to the historical record .

As Ethiopia’s media landscape continues to evolve and as Oromo journalism faces new challenges and opportunities, the testimony of founding figures like Mr. Leencoo Lataa provides essential perspective. Their experiences, insights, and wisdom can help guide current practitioners as they navigate the complexities of contemporary journalism while remaining faithful to the values that animated Bariisaa’s founders.

Looking Forward

With its 50th anniversary on the horizon, Bariisaa Newspaper stands at a threshold. The coming year offers an opportunity for reflection on nearly half a century of service, for celebration of achievements, and for renewed commitment to the mission that has sustained the publication through changing times.

Mr. Leencoo Lataa’s call to “further develop the newspaper and pass it on to future generations” encapsulates the challenge ahead. How can Bariisaa honor its legacy while adapting to new realities? How can it reach younger readers who consume media differently than their parents and grandparents? How can it maintain relevance in an age of social media and instant digital access?

These are the questions that the current editorial team, and those who follow, must answer. But they do so standing on the foundation laid by Mr. Leencoo Lataa and his fellow founders—a foundation strong enough to support nearly five decades of continuous publication and sturdy enough to bear the weight of future aspirations.

Gratitude and Commitment

As Bariisaa Newspaper celebrates its 49th anniversary and honors one of its founding figures, the editorial team expresses both gratitude for the past and commitment to the future. Gratitude for visionaries like Mr. Leencoo Lataa, who believed that Oromo readers deserved a newspaper in their own language and worked to make that belief reality. Commitment to carrying forward that vision, adapting as necessary but never losing sight of the fundamental purpose: serving the Oromo people with information, analysis, and cultural content that affirms their identity and supports their aspirations.

The bullukkoo that now covers Mr. Leencoo Lataa symbolizes not only honor for one man but continuity across generations. It represents the mantle passed from founders to successors, the responsibility to preserve and advance, and the enduring connection between past, present, and future.

As one era of Bariisaa’s history is honored, the next chapter begins.