(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is a 15 March 2002 EJFA report on a number of legal actions launched against newspaper editors: 1. “Tobbia” newspaper editor-in-chief Ato Kebebew Gebyehu Filate The prosecutor has charged “Tobbia” newspaper editor-in-chief Ato Kebebew Gebyehu Filate with publishing and disseminating: a) a September 2001 “Tobbia” article titled “This challenging situation could […]
(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is a 15 March 2002 EJFA report on a number of legal actions launched against newspaper editors:
1. “Tobbia” newspaper editor-in-chief Ato Kebebew Gebyehu Filate
The prosecutor has charged “Tobbia” newspaper editor-in-chief Ato Kebebew Gebyehu Filate with publishing and disseminating:
a) a September 2001 “Tobbia” article titled “This challenging situation could provoke the people into mounting a new form of struggle”.
b) a December 2001 “Tobbia” article titled “People of North Shoa zone have been embittered by false accusations, illegal administration reigns supreme”. It is alleged that this article defamed “Ato Dawit Argaw’s good reputation”.
Ato Kebebew appeared before the Federal High Court in March 2002 and was released on bail of 2,000 birr (approx. US$240). His case has been adjourned until May 2002.
2. “Tobbia” editor-in-chief Arega Wolde Kirkos Ayele
“Tobbia” newspaper editor-in-chief Arega Wolde Kirkos Ayele appeared before the Federal High Court on charges of defaming the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation by publishing and disseminating:
a) a July 1999 “Tobbia” article titled “The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation has been neglected”.
b) an August 1999 “Tobbia” article titled “Employees of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation are protesting”.
He was released on bail of 1,000 birr (approx. US$120). His case has been adjourned until June 2003.
Arega Wolde Kirkos Ayele has also been charged with defaming the Health and Nutrition Institute by publishing and disseminating fabricated information in a September 2000 “Tobbia” article titled “Research by a Human Being”. Arega Wolde Kirkos Ayele appeared before the Federal High Court criminal bench and was released on bail of 2,000 birr. His case has been adjourned until October 2003.
3. “Ith’op” newspaper deputy editor-in-chief Wondwossen Gebre Kidan
The prosecutor has charged “Ith’op” newspaper deputy editor-in-chief Wondwossen Gebre Kidan with disseminating fabricated information that could affect public opinion, for publishing an article in “Ith’op” titled “Prosecutor and Police Under Tension”. The charges stem from allegations that:
a) he falsely reported that there are three types of police forces in Ethiopia.
b) he stated that “the organisation of the prosecutor (Ministry of Justice) is ethnically-based.”
Wondwossen appeared in court on 8 March 2002 and was released on bail of 2,000 birr. His case has been adjourned until 4 May 2002.
4. Former “Ethio-Time” newspaper editor-in-chief Shimelis Asfaw
The prosecutor has charged “Ethio-Time” newspaper’s former editor-in-chief Shimelis Asfaw with disseminating fabricated information about the government and its officials that could affect public opinion. The information was published in a July 2001 “Ethio-Time” article titled “General Haile Tilahoun removed; Assaminew Badane detained by police at airport, his whereabouts unknown”.
Shimelis Asfaw appeared before the High Court Third Criminal Bench and was released on bail of 2,000 birr. His case has been adjourned until 29 May 2002.
5. “Madona” newspaper publisher and editor-in-chief Abinet Tamrat
The prosecutor has charged “Madona” newspaper publisher and editor-in-chief Abinet Tamrat with disseminating unethical literature nationwide by publishing:
a) a September 1998 “Madona” article titled “Sisters in America”.
b) a May 1999 “Madona” article titled “From the World of Love”.
Abinet Tamrat appeared before the High Court Fifth Criminal Bench and was released on bail of 2,000 birr. His case has been adjourned.
On 15 March 2002, the Federal High Court Second Criminal Bench fined Abinet Tamrat 1,000 birr. The court stated that, “in violation of Articles 7(5) and 20(2) of the Press Proclamation No. 34/1985(E.C), the defendant has published and distributed issues of ‘Madona’ newspaper without having renewed his license.”
6. “Lamrot” newspaper editor-in-chief Gezaw Taye Wordofa
On 6 March 2002, “Lamrot” newspaper editor-in-chief Gezaw Taye Wordofa was picked up by police and taken to the Central Investigation Office. As of 15 March, Gezaw Taye was still in police custody. It has been impossible to confirm the reasons for his detention from concerned authorities or other sources.
7. “Tinkish” newspaper editor-in-chief Tigist Behailu
The prosecutor has charged “Tinkish” newspaper editor-in-chief Tigist Behailu with defaming Ato Mengistu Mihretu and his wife in a March 2001 “Tinkish” article titled “One of the men who brutally murdered two men sentenced to life imprisonment; the other murderer shot to death while flirting with a married woman”. A picture of Mengistu and his wife also appeared with the article. Tigist appeared before the Federal High Court on 4 March 2002 and was released on bail of 3,000 birr (approx. US$360). Her case has been adjourned until October 2002.
The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
15 March 2002
Kifle Mulat
President, EFJA
