Former editor-in-chief sentenced
(EFJA/IFEX) – The former editor-in-chief of the private Amharic monthly magazine “Tobia” has been fined 12,000 Birr (about US$1500). On 17 October 2000, the Second Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced Taye Belachew on charges of spreading false charges against the government and arousing hatred against the Tigrigna-speaking people. As is common, Articles […]
Journalist released, another still detained
(EFJA/IFEX) – On 11 October 2000, journalist Tesfa Tegegne was released following orders given by the Third Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 9 October. Tegegne was accused of publishing a libelous article in the private newspaper “Remet”, of which he was editor-in-chief. The article, issued in February 1997, was said to be […]
EFJA continues to protest increase in printing costs
(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is a 4 September 2000 EFJA press release: 4 September 2000 EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN IS OBLIGED TO PROTEST AGAINST THE SUPPRESSION OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE The free press has been and continues to be subjected to many forms of pressure that obstructs its smooth operation. Of late, the free press […]
IFJ warns that printing cost increase could force media to fold
(IFJ/IFEX) – In a 31 August 2000 letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the IFj expressed concern over the average thirty percent increase in printing costs in Ethiopia since mid-August. The rise in newsprint and printing costs is equally affecting the government press as well as some 36 private publications, including 21 weeklies. The IFJ […]
EFJA denounces huge increase in printing costs
(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is a 24 August 2000 EFJA press release: The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association expresses its indignation over the big increase in printing costs EFJA has said the 30.5 per cent increase in the cost of printing made by printing press enterprises has adversely affected the activities of the Ethiopian free […]
Editor-in-chief of private newspaper sentenced to one-year prison term
(EFJA/IFEX) – On 2 June 2000, the Federal High Court (Fires Criminal Bench) sentenced Tewdors Kassa, editor-in-chief of “Ethiop”, a private Amahric-language newspaper, to a one year prison term or payment of Birr 15,000 (approx. US$1,860). According to the details of the charges provided by the special prosecutor, “Journalist Tewdors Kassa published a news item […]
IPI concerned over plight of journalists
(IPI/IFEX) – In a 19 May 2000 letter to Minister of Justice Werede Woldu Wolde, IPI expressed its extreme concern about the plight of journalists in Ethiopia. Journalists are currently suffering imprisonment, tremendous hardships and death in their attempts to maintain freedom of expression. At present, seven journalists are languishing in jail serving prison sentences […]
Freedom with strings attached: Over 160 journalists jailed since 1991
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF report: Freedom with strings attached: Over 160 journalists jailed since 1991 With the support of the European Union April 2000 Introduction Ethiopia has for some time been condemned by organisations for the defence of press freedom as the biggest prison on the African continent for journalists. On 1 […]
Offices of journalists’ association and newspaper broken into
(IPI/IFEX) – In a 25 April 2000 letter to Minister of Justice Werede Woldu Wolde, IPI called upon the Ethiopian police authorities to do everything within their power to bring to justice the culprits responsible for the break-in to the offices of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) and the “Ethio-Time” newspaper. On 17 […]
Statement by the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists? Association
The following is a statement by Kifle Mulat, President of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA), being distributed by the IFJ: EFJA attains government recognition after seven years! The EFJA obtained a certificate of legal recognition from the FDRE Ministry of Justice. The certificate of recognition is dated March 13/2000. EFJA, that was established […]
Journalists? association recognised, appeals for international aid
The following is a 15 March 2000 CPJ press release: ETHIOPIA: LEGAL AT LAST, LOCAL PRESS GROUP APPEALS FOR INTERNATIONAL AID New York, March 15, 2000 — After a seven year wait, the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) has obtained a certificate of legal recognition from the Ethiopian government, according to CPJ sources in […]
Two journalists released
**Updates IFEX alert of 14 January 2000** (RSF/IFEX) – According to information gathered by RSF, Abera Wogi, editor-in-chief of the private weekly “Maebel”, was released two weeks ago, after having completed his sentence. The journalist had been detained since 12 May 1999 in Addis Ababa’s Kerchiele prison. He was accused of “defamation” and “fabrication and […]
Three more private newspapers banned, former editor charged
(IFJ/IFEX) – The president of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA), Kifle Mulat, has asked the IFJ to provide an update on the situation in Ethiopia: In a statement issued on 14 December 1999, the EFJA had disclosed that twelve licensed independent weekly newspapers had been banned and that another five independent newspapers had […]
Editor-in-chief flees Ethiopia
(IFJ/IFEX) – Kifle Mulat, president of the Ethiopian Free Press Association (EFPA), informed IFJ that on 28 January 2000, Dawit Kebede, member of the Executive Committee of EFPA and editor-in-chief of “Fiameta”, a private Amharic weekly newspaper, left Ethiopia and fled to Kenya. He was forced to leave Ethiopia on account of the many charges […]
Journalist sentenced to a year in prison
In a 28 January 2000 letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, RSF protested the sentencing of Tesihalene Mengesha, in Addis Ababa, to one year in prison. RSF urged the prime minister to use his influence to ensure that the journalist is released immediately. The organisation reminded him that international human rights organisation believe that prison […]
Journalist commits suicide, others detained, sentenced
The following is a 27 January 2000 IFJ letter to Minister of Justice Woldemichael Wolde: Woldemichael Wolde Minister of Justice Addis Ababa Brussels, 27 January 2000 Dear Mr Wolde The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ organisation representing around 450,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned about the recent suicide of Makonnen Worku, member […]