Ethiopia: Press freedom ‘worsening’ – Reporter Without Borders
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March 22, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) – Press freedom monitoring and campaign
group, Reporters Without Borders, on Tuesday expressed concern over
the deteriorating working climate for journalists in Ethiopia.
The group accused the Ethiopian government of steadily shrinking press
freedom and putting pressure against the country’s small number of
independent newspapers.
‘By taking legal action against news media that criticize its policies
or simply dare to ask awkward questions, the government is trying to
suffocate them’, Reporters Without Borders said.
‘As they are unable to pay exorbitant legal costs, newspapers risk
bankruptcy when they are sued or prosecuted.’
The press freedom organization added:
“Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his government have been tightening
their grip on news and information in the last months. Ethiopia has
joined the list of sub-Saharan countries that are keeping a close eye
on the media and are trying to control or influence editorial
policies. Due to their increasing intolerance, the authorities are
doing everything they can to stifle the critical impulses of
journalists and to make life difficult for the private media.”
The France-based international non-governmental organization, urged
the Ethiopian government to stop creating climate of fear against
media people.
‘Reporters Without Borders strongly urges the Ethiopian government to
do everything it can to allow the private press to do its job without
fear of intimidation, financially damaging law suits and
self-censorship.’
‘We would also like to take this opportunity to remind the government
of Ethiopia of a number of pledges it made to protect the
constitutionally guaranteed right of the press. We remain hopeful to
see these pledges translated into action immediately.’
Since elections last year Ethiopia has jammed a number of
pro-opposition websites. Reporters without Borders has also urged the
Ethiopian authorities to stop jamming websites.
‘Reporters without Borders is also puzzled by certain cases of
websites being blocked and suspects they are being deliberately
censored’, it said
The group also mentioned newspapers and journalists it said are under threat.
(ST)
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