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Articles - Ethiopia

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Ethiopia

Journalist could face death penalty at Friday verdict

A verdict in the trial of Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega and other activists accused of inciting terrorism is expected on Friday, 11 May, report PEN American Center and other IFEX members, whom Nega has worked with. If convicted, Nega could face the death penalty.

Ethiopia

More journalists get jail time on anti-terrorism charges

In another sign of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's worsening repression, a U.S.-based journalist was sentenced to life in prison on anti-terrorism charges, while two other journalists were given heavy prison sentences, report the Ethiopian Free press Journalists' Association (EFJA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and other IFEX members.

Ethiopia / Sweden

Swedish journalists given 11 years on terrorism charges

Ethiopia sentenced two Swedish journalists to 11 years in jail last week on charges of supporting terrorism after the pair illegally entered the country with a Somali rebel group, report IFEX's international members. Photojournalist Johan Persson and reporter Martin Schibbye were arrested by Ethiopian security forces in July during a gunfight between Ethiopian soldiers and rebels in the no-go region of Ogaden, and were put on trial in October.

Ethiopia

Reporter named in WikiLeaks flees amid crackdown on dissent

An Ethiopian journalist was forced to flee the country earlier this month after being named in a WikiLeaks cable - the first time a leaked cable has caused direct repercussions for a journalist, says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). His case is part of a broadening crackdown on dissent in Ethiopia, say CPJ and other IFEX members.

Ethiopia

Anti-terrorism law used to suppress dissent

Ethiopian authorities have held a newspaper columnist incommunicado for at least eight days under what appears to be Ethiopia's anti-terrorist law, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International. Reeyot Alemu, a regular contributor to the independent weekly "Feteh", was arrested on 21 June. She is the second reporter to be picked up and held without charge in less than a week.

Ethiopia

Government hijacks World Press Freedom Day event

Officials in Ethiopia celebrated World Press Freedom Day by hijacking a local UNESCO-sponsored 3 May event, putting up pro-government journalists as speakers and cancelling independent journalists who were scheduled to speak, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Ethiopia

Society silenced by repressive state structure; independent media gagged around elections

Last week's Ethiopian presidential election result was no surprise, with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's governing party winning nearly every seat. Harassment and intimidation of voters and journalists, and the absence of a free, independent media was behind this smooth victory, report Human Rights Watch and the International Press Institute (IPI).

Ethiopia

Four media houses crushed with lethal fines

The Ethiopian government is settling political scores against journalists by slamming four newspaper publishing companies with crippling fines in reprisal for their coverage of the disputed 2005 elections, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The state is threatening to freeze their assets if the fines are not paid.

Ethiopia

State interference in media content; shift in media law

Despite some positive changes in media law, Ethiopian journalists operating within state media have no editorial independence, says the International Press Institute (IPI) after a recent fact-finding mission to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia

IFEX members raise alarm over anti-terrorism law

Ethiopia's parliament has just approved sweeping anti-terrorism legislation that could see journalists jailed for carrying out their work, report the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA), the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Watch.

Ethiopia

NUEVAS LEYES AMENAZAN LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Ethiopia

DE NOUVELLES LOIS MENACENT LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Ethiopia

NEW LAWS THREATEN FREE EXPRESSION

Ethiopia has passed a new media law that bans censorship of private media and the detention of journalists, but which critics say maintains other threats to free expression.

Ethiopia

LES MUSICIENS COURENT DES RISQUES S'ILS PARLENT

Ethiopia

MÚSICOS EN RIESGO POR EXPRESARSE

Ethiopia

AGISSEZ ! RAMENEZ LES MILITANTS ÉTHIOPIENS CHEZ EUX POUR LES FÊTES

Ethiopia

¡ACTÚE! RETORNEN A ACTIVISTAS ETÍOPES A CASA PARA LAS NAVIDADES

Ethiopia

TAKE ACTION! BRING ETHIOPIAN ACTIVISTS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, human rights lawyers and coordinators of the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) in Ethiopia, have been in detention for more than two years for treason-related charges. If found guilty, they could face life in jail or the death sentence.

Ethiopia

RELATOS DEL CUERNO DE ÁFRICA: 'UNA VIDA SE SALVÓ, LA OTRA SE PERDIÓ'

Ethiopia

INDULTAN A CUATRO PERIODISTAS

Ethiopia

QUATRE JOURNALISTES REÇOIVENT UN PARDON

Ethiopia

FOUR JOURNALISTS PARDONED

Four jailed journalists were released on conditional pardon on Saturday along with 27 opposition activists, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Ethiopia

INDULTAN A MANIFESTANTES, PERO DOS PERIODISTAS SIGUEN ENCARCELADOS

Ethiopia

DES PROTESTATAIRES REÇOIVENT UN PARDON, MAIS DEUX JOURNALISTES SONT TOUJOURS INCARCÉRÉS

Ethiopia

PROTESTERS PARDONED, BUT TWO JOURNALISTS STILL JAILED

Ethiopia has pardoned and freed 34 opposition members and four journalists who had been convicted last week for their links to deadly 2005 protests against alleged poll-rigging, say Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and news reports. But two Ethiopian journalists initially sentenced to life remain in jail.

Ethiopia

QUATRE JOURNALISTES CONDAMNÉS À LA PRISON À VIE

Ethiopia

CUATRO PERIODISTAS SENTENCIADOS A CADENA PERPETUA

Ethiopia

FOUR JOURNALISTS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN JAIL

An Ethiopian court sentenced 35 opposition leaders, including four journalists, to life in prison yesterday, rebuffing a prosecution request that they be executed for trying to overthrow the government, inciting violence and treason.

Ethiopia

DOS EDITORES PODRÍAN ENFRENTARSE A LA PENA DE MUERTE DESPUÉS DE CONDENAS DE LA SUPREMA CORTE

Ethiopia

DEUX RÉDACTEURS RISQUENT LA PEINE DE MORT APRÈS AVOIR ÉTÉ RECONNUS COUPABLES DEVANT LA HAUTE COUR

Ethiopia

TWO EDITORS COULD FACE DEATH AFTER HIGH COURT CONVICTIONS

Four editors and three publishing houses in Ethiopia were found guilty on 11 June of links to deadly 2005 protests against alleged poll-rigging, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). Sentencing is next month and two of the editors could face the death penalty. The exiled Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA) is calling for urgent action from the international community to save their lives.

Ethiopia

OCHO PERIODISTAS ABSUELTOS

Ethiopia

HUIT JOURNALISTES SONT ACQUITTÉS

Ethiopia

EIGHT JOURNALISTS ACQUITTED

Eight journalists accused of treason and attempted genocide were set free after 17 months in jail, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). Their release followed the acquittal of the exiled president of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) just four days earlier.

Ethiopia

ALARMANTE DETERIORO DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Ethiopia

DÉTÉRIORATION ALARMANTE DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Ethiopia

ALARMING DETERIORATION IN PRESS FREEDOM

Nearly four months after Ethiopian authorities launched a crackdown on the country's press following post-electoral street protests, there has been an alarming deterioration in press freedom conditions, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Self-censorship is rife, critical newspapers are shrinking in number and 14 journalists face charges that could bring the death penalty.

Ethiopia

COALICIÓN AFRICANA INSTA A PONER FIN A OFENSIVA CONTRA PRENSA

Ethiopia

UNE COALITION AFRICAINE DEMANDE INSTAMMENT LA FIN DE LA RÉPRESSION DE LA PRESSE

Ethiopia

AFRICAN COALITION URGES END TO PRESS CRACKDOWN

A coalition of 19 free expression groups, including 10 IFEX members, have called on Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to end a post-election crackdown on media outlets in the country, saying journalists and their families are reportedly being arrested and held hostage.

Ethiopia

GOBIERNO HACE REDADA DE PERIODISTAS Y DIRIGENTES DE LA OPOSICIÓN

Ethiopia

RAFLE DU GOUVERNEMENT CHEZ LES JOURNALISTES ET DIRIGEANTS DE L'OPPOSITION

Ethiopia

GOVERNMENT ROUNDS UP JOURNALISTS, OPPOSITION LEADERS

Ethiopian authorities are hunting down journalists, civil society activists and opposition leaders in a bid to clamp down on government critics following public protests that left more than 40 dead at the hands of security forces, report the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA), the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Ethiopia

LES AUTORITÉS ÉTOUFFENT LA COUVERTURE DE L'AGITATION POST-ÉLECTORALE

Ethiopia

AUTORIDADES AMORDAZAN COBERTURA DE INQUIETUD POSTELECTORAL

Ethiopia

AUTHORITIES STIFLE COVERAGE OF POST-ELECTORAL UNREST

In the wake of a violent crackdown on protesters following the 15 May 2005 parliamentary elections in Ethiopia, an alarming number of journalists are being arrested and charged for reporting on the situation, report IFEX members.

Ethiopia

LA RÉPRESSION DES MÉDIAS AU COEUR DE LA CONTROVERSE ÉLECTORALE

Ethiopia

OFENSIVA CONTRA MEDIOS EN MEDIO DE CONTROVERSIA ELECTORAL

Ethiopia

CRACKDOWN ON MEDIA AMID ELECTION CONTROVERSY

The Ethiopian government is cracking down on the media amid violent post-election clashes between government forces and opposition supporters, report the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA), the International Press Institute (IPI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Ethiopia

DES GROUPES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX EXERCENT DES PRESSIONS SUR LE GOUVERNEMENT À PROPOS D'UNE LOI CONTROVERSÉE SUR LA PRESSE

Ethiopia

MIEMBROS DE IFEX CABILDEAN A GOBIERNO SOBRE POLÉMICA LEY DE PRENSA

Ethiopia

IFEX MEMBERS LOBBY GOVERNMENT ON CONTROVERSIAL PRESS LAW

The Ethiopian government has pledged to review controversial sections of a proposed press law, following a meeting with four international free expression watchdogs, reports the International Press Institute (IPI).

Ethiopia

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX ÉMETTENT DES RÉSERVES AU SUJET DE LA LOI SUR LA PRESSE

Ethiopia

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PLANTEAN INQUIETUD POR LEY DE PRENSA

Ethiopia

IFEX MEMBERS RAISE CONCERNS OVER PRESS LAW

Nineteen IFEX members have written to the Ethiopian government raising concerns over the latest draft of a proposed press law they say contains serious restrictions on freedom of expression.

Ethiopia

L'IIP ET ARTICLE 19 PUBLIENT DES RAPPORTS SUR L'ÉTHIOPIE

Ethiopia

IPI Y ARTICLE 19 PUBLICAN INFORMES SOBRE ETIOPÍA

Ethiopia

IPI, ARTICLE 19 RELEASE REPORTS ON ETHIOPIA

The latest reports on press freedom in Ethiopia are now available online, courtesy of the International Press Institute (IPI) and ARTICLE 19.

Ethiopia

IPI MANTIENE VIGILANCIA SOBRE "LIBERTAD DE MEDIOS EN PROCESO DE DETERIORO"

Ethiopia

L'IIP CONTINUE DE SURVEILLER LA « DÉTÉRIORATION DE LA LIBERTÉ DES MÉDIAS »

Ethiopia

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.

Ethiopia

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX APPUIENT L'EFJA CONTRE LE HARCÈLEMENT DU GOUVERNEMENT

Ethiopia

MIEMBROS DE IFEX APOYAN A EFJA CONTRA ACOSO GUBERNAMENTAL

Ethiopia

IFEX MEMBERS SUPPORT EFJA AGAINST GOVERNMENT HARASSMENT

Fourteen IFEX members have signed a joint letter in defence of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA), condemning the Ethiopian government for its campaign to silence the press-freedom organisation.

Ethiopia

ÉTHIOPIE : LE GOUVERNEMENT SUSPEND UN MEMBRE DE L'IFEX

Ethiopia

GOBIERNO SUSPENDE A MIEMBRO DE IFEX

Ethiopia

GOVERNMENT SUSPENDS IFEX MEMBER

The future of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) is at risk following the Ethiopian government's move to suspend the press freedom group, says EFJA President Kifle Mulat.

Ethiopia

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX ASSISTENT À UNE CONFÉRENCE SUR LA RÉFORME DU DROIT DES MÉDIAS

Ethiopia

MIEMBROS DE IFEX ASISTEN A CONFERENCIA DE REFORMA A LEY DE MEDIOS

Ethiopia

LES MEMBRES DE L?IFEX CRITIQUENT LA LOI SUR LA PRESSE

Ethiopia

MIEMBROS DE IFEX CRITICAN LEY DE PRENSA

Ethiopia

IFEX MEMBERS CRITICISE PRESS LAW

A proposed press law and journalists' code of ethics drafted by the Ethiopian government is drawing increasing criticism from the free-expression community and has prompted several IFEX members to demand its revision.

Ethiopia

UN PROJET DE LOI « MENACE LA PRESSE LIBRE », DIT L?EFJA

Ethiopia

PROYECTO DE LEY "AMENAZA PRENSA LIBRE", DICE EFJA

Ethiopia

DRAFT LAW "THREATENS FREE PRESS," SAYS EFJA

The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) says the government of Ethiopia has drafted a press law that "threatens the very existence of Ethiopia's free press," prompting other IFEX members to issue calls of concern in support of the group.

Ethiopia

NEUF DIRECTEURS DE PUBLICATIONS SONT TRAÎNÉS DEVANT LES TRIBUNAUX

Ethiopia

LLEVAN A NUEVE EDITORES A TRIBUNALES

Ethiopia

9 EDITORS TAKEN TO COURT

In Ethiopia, at least nine newspaper editors have been taken to court in recent weeks for various offences, many of them for alleged defamation of government officials, says the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA). The press freedom group has issued a report documenting the cases of "Tobbia" editors Ato Kebebew Gebyehu Filate and Arega Wolde Kirkos Ayele; "Ith'op" editor-in-chief Wondwossen Gebre Kidan; former "Ethio-Time" editor Shimelis Asfaw; "Madona" publisher and editor Abinet Tamrat; Gezaw Taye Wordofa of "Lamrot"; and "Tinkish" editor Tigist Behailu. Five of the editors are being charged with either defaming various public officials or "disseminating fabricated information that could affect public opinion." All of them except Wordofa were arrested on these charges and have had to secure bail ranging from 1,000 -3,000 birr (approx. US$120-$360) for their release.

Ethiopia

LIBERAN AL ÚLTIMO PERIODISTA ENCARCELADO

Ethiopia

LE DERNIER JOURNALISTE EMPRISONNÉ EST RELÂCHÉ

Ethiopia

LAST IMPRISONED JOURNALIST RELEASED

Tamrat Zuma, the last remaining imprisoned journalist in Ethiopia, has been released from jail. Authorities freed him on 4 March after international and local organisations secured the 16,000 Birrs (approximately US $1,915) bail required for his release, a sum the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association called "shockingly large."

Ethiopia

"NUEVA OLA DE ACOSO CONTRA PERIODISTAS", DICE EFJA

Ethiopia

?UNE NOUVELLE VAGUE DE HARCÈLEMENT CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES?, DIT L?EFJA

Ethiopia

"NEW WAVE OF HARASSMENT AGAINST JOURNALISTS," SAYS EFJA

Eleven journalists in Ethiopia have been ordered to appear before the courts to answer charges laid against them, a development that could signal a "new wave of harassment" against the press, say the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). One of the journalists is EFJA president and "Ethio Time" editor-in-chief Kifle Mulat, who has been summoned to appear before a federal high court on 5 December. It is not known what charge was laid against him.

Ethiopia

ENTRE ACONTECIMIENTOS ENCONTRADOS DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Ethiopia

BRUITS CONTRADICTOIRES SUR LA SITUATION DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRES

Ethiopia

FAMINE & CENSORSHIP REPORT RELEASED AMID CONFLICTING PRESS FREEDOM DEVELOPMENTS

A new ARTICLE 19 report evaluates progress on issues related to censorship and famine in Ethiopia over the past decade. The publication, entitled "Ethiopia: Still Starving in Silence?," revisits concerns first raised by the organisation in a 1991 report. The release occurs at a time when both advances and setbacks for freedom of expression have been taking place in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia

HUELGA DE MEDIOS ATRAE LA SOLIDARIDAD INTERNACIONAL

Ethiopia

UNE GRÈVE DANS LES MÉDIAS ATTIRE LA SOLIDARITÉ INTERNATIONALE

Ethiopia

MEDIA STRIKE DRAWS INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

From 11-17 September, free press journalists are protesting the recent hike in the cost of printing by boycotting the publication of newspapers and magazines, reports the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA). The EFJA-called strike has been supported both locally by local newspaper distributors and vendors and internationally by groups including the International Press Institute (IPI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). On 16 August, the two government-owned printing presses increased the cost of printing by more than one-third. The increase resulted from a government-imposed tax on paper. The increase, which has affected the government press and 36 independent publications, "could eventually cause the private press in Ethiopia to fold," says IFJ. According to EFJA, three private papers have already been forced to fold as a direct result of the price rise. "The large tax imposed on paper is tantamount to restricting the flow of information and the dissemination of knowledge,” and jeopardises the very process of democratisation, states EFJA.

Ethiopia

REVISIÓN DE FIP ENCUENTRA QUE MUCHOS PERIODISTAS SIGUEN ASEDIADOS

Ethiopia

LE PEN INTERNATIONAL SOULIGNE LA JOURNÉE DE L?ÉCRIVAIN EN PRISON

Ethiopia

INTERNATIONAL PEN MARKS DAY OF IMPRISONED WRITER

To mark the Day of the Imprisoned Writer on 15 November 1998, International PEN featured the case of three journalists jailed in Ethiopia, reports the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC). During a crackdown on journalists and political activists in October 1997 in Oromo, Moti Biyya (his pen name), Garuma Bekele and Tesfaye Deressa were arrested, most likely due to their involvement with the newspaper "Urji" and their activism as members of the Ethiopian Human Rights League. The three men were initially held in solitary confinement for ten months, but, although they may now receive family visitors, they remain detained without charge. International PEN "urges the Ethiopian authorities to order their immediate and unconditional release if they are not promptly charged with a clearly recognizable criminal offence and brought to court." In the meantime the organisation seeks assurance that they are humanely treated whilst in detention.

Ethiopia

PEN INTERNACIONAL CELEBRA DÍA DEL ESCRITOR ENCARCELADO