Journalists petition Zenawi
over media rights
6 May, 2010 | Daily Nation
The letter also urged the authorities to stop jamming Voice of
America’s Amharic-language 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.
“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 letter said.
“We bring to your attention... what we consider an apparent and
intimidating effect of the measures taken by your government on
journalists, restricting news coverage, and limiting pluralistic views
and open criticism.”
Referring to the two ERTA journalists, the letter said: “We
strongly urge the Ethiopian justice to give Haileyesus Worku and
Abdulsemed Mohammed a fair trial, one that establishes whether
or not the charges brought against them are well-founded. In the
meantime, we call for their provisional release.”
Arrested by members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission on 26 April, producer Worku and reporter
Mohammed are alleged to have stolen and sold national television
programmes to the international TV station Al Jazeera.
They were brought before a federal court on April 30 but were
not formally indicted. The judge adjourned the proceedings until
May 10.
Courtesy
over media rights
6 May, 2010 | Daily Nation
- Reporters Without Borders
lobby group has voiced concern
about the harsh climate for
journalists in recent weeks in
Ethiopia.
In a letter to Ethiopian Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi, the
journalists have asked him to
consult with them 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-language 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.
“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 letter said.
“We bring to your attention... what we consider an apparent and
intimidating effect of the measures taken by your government on
journalists, restricting news coverage, and limiting pluralistic views
and open criticism.”
Referring to the two ERTA journalists, the letter said: “We
strongly urge the Ethiopian justice to give Haileyesus Worku and
Abdulsemed Mohammed a fair trial, one that establishes whether
or not the charges brought against them are well-founded. In the
meantime, we call for their provisional release.”
Arrested by members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission on 26 April, producer Worku and reporter
Mohammed are alleged to have stolen and sold national television
programmes to the international TV station Al Jazeera.
They were brought before a federal court on April 30 but were
not formally indicted. The judge adjourned the proceedings until
May 10.
Courtesy
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Reporters Without Borders writes to Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi
06 May, 2010 | RSF
“This vague wording could be interpreted broadly and expose
journalists to the possibility of arbitrary arrest,” the letter added.
“We are also extremely concerned by the fact that journalists
could be sentenced to imprisonment for violating this code of
conduct.” More
Minister Meles Zenawi
06 May, 2010 | RSF
“This vague wording could be interpreted broadly and expose
journalists to the possibility of arbitrary arrest,” the letter added.
“We are also extremely concerned by the fact that journalists
could be sentenced to imprisonment for violating this code of
conduct.” More
