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IPI KEEPS WATCH OVER "DETERIORATING MEDIA FREEDOM"

Citing "grave concerns about deteriorating media freedom," the International Press Institute (IPI) has added Ethiopia to its Watch List of countries that deserve close monitoring.

IPI says the Ethiopian government has repeatedly delayed plans to follow through on its pledge to open up the country's airwaves to private broadcasters. "There are genuine fears that the government will not do so before the next general election in 2005," the organisation warned.

IPI also says Ethiopia's media faces an uncertain future because of a proposed press law that severely restricts the ability of journalists to report the news. Previous drafts of the law have been described by IPI as "draconian." Other concerns include the lack of an independent judiciary and police force, which has led to arrests of journalists on outdated charges (See: http://www.freemedia.at/Protests%202003/pr_Ethiopia17.12.03.htm).

IPI's Watch List includes Russia, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Read IPI's report on Ethiopia's proposed press law: http://www.freemedia.at/Protests%202003/R_EthiopiaLaw17.12.03.htm