Reporters without Borders takes worsening situation of journalists in Ethiopia to the PM

By Simegnish Yekoye

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Reporters without Borders wrote on Wednesday to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi voicing concerns over the deterioration in the working climate for journalist in recent weeks and calling on the prime minister to consult with Ethiopian journalists in order to find ways to amend the code of conduct governing election reporting that was adopted in March.

The letter also urged the authorities to stop jamming voice of America’s Amharic broadcasts and raised the case of two journalists employed by the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA) who have been detained for more than a week.

“We bring to your attention that we are deeply worried about what we consider an apparent and intimidating effect of the measures taken by your government in the past months on journalists, restricting news coverage, and limiting pluralistic views and open criticism,” reads the letter.

In the mean time, the office of government communication affairs in collaboration with the horn of Africa press institute had organized a workshop to commemorate world press freedom day.

While presenting the status of freedom of mass media and access to information law in Ethiopia, State Minister at the Government Office, Shimeles Kemal said that the new press law is a new section towards building democracy in Ethiopia.

“It is a law designed to enable journalists work with freedom and equip them with editorial freedom in their media organization,” Shimeles said.

Pointing out that Ethiopia is at a milestone in coming up with a law in press freedom, a number of private media have been attacking the law with an aim of creating negative attitude among people.

“Some members of private media purposely attack the new press law, NGO law and anti-terrorism law,” Shimeles said.

Responding to the presentation of Amare Aregawi, owner of a private news paper Reporter, saying there are still no privately owned broadcast Medias in Ethiopia, Shemeles responded that the law doesn’t prohibit giving license for private broadcast Medias.

“We are trying to change the analog system of TV transmit on in Ethiopia to digital and it wouldn’t be proper to give licenses for analog now. We will start to give licenses afterwards,” Shimeles said.

On his presentation Amare pointed out the opposing aspects of access to information in Ethiopia mentioning the fact that the constitution includes the right to freedom of press and flourishing of private Media with relatively better access to information as positive sides.

However, a number of laws that defy the constitution were issued. There is also no public media, but state controlled media.”

Asked about Addis Neger, a newspaper that stopped publishing and the editors fled the country allegedly claiming an increasing pressure from the government, Shimeles said the government had never put pressure on them and they were even welcome to return. “But they put preconditions such as the release of Birtukan Midekesa, abolishment of the anti-terrorism and NGO law which shows that they aren’t journalists but politicians,” he added.

On the letter Reporters without borders wrote to Meles, they also stated that the climate of fear that we condemned in December 2009, when the weekly Addis Neger decided to stop publishing, seems as palpable as ever in Ethiopia as the country approaches the 23 May general election.

“The forthcoming polling should be seized as a rare opportunity to show the Ethiopian people and international community that you are willing and prepared to organize elections that are free and transparent and are covered by both Ethiopian and foreign journalists without difficulty,” the letter reads.