Vendors briefly detained, barred from selling newspapers and magazines

(EFJA/IFEX) – Over the past years, free press newspaper and magazines have made important contributions in terms of providing information to the public and raising the public’s level of awareness on issues. Moreover they have been serving as platforms for the exchange of ideas and views. These contributions have had a positive impact on the […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – Over the past years, free press newspaper and magazines have made important contributions in terms of providing information to the public and raising the public’s level of awareness on issues. Moreover they have been serving as platforms for the exchange of ideas and views. These contributions have had a positive impact on the process of the formation of a democratic system in the country. However, the government has practically never had a positive attitude towards these newspapers and magazines of the free press.

Journalists of the free press have been targets of repressive measures by the state that include imprisonment, harassment and fines. A number of them have been forced to flee the country and live abroad in exile. In addition, the distribution of newspaper and magazines throughout the country has been illegally curtailed by regional administrations.

The Ministry of Information and Culture’s press department has issued a regulation requiring publishers to have initial capital of Birr 10,000 (approx. US$1,215) to start a newspaper or magazine. Printing costs are increasing steadily. All these problems have negatively affected the development of the free press in Ethiopia. In spite of these obstacle however, free press journalists have made substantial contributions towards informing the public.

Vendors of free press newspapers and magazines had, over the past several years, enjoyed relative freedom in carrying out their activities. However, EFJA has confirmed that on 20 April 2001, the police rounded up newspaper and magazine vendors during the riots that took place in Addis Ababa following demands by Addis Ababa university students. As of 18 April, newspapers have not been distributed outside Addis Ababa.

The government has cracked down on distributors and vendors of newspapers and magazines that carry various items on current political developments in the country. Such an action is tantamount to the repression of freedom of expression. EFJA is deeply concerned about the present situation.

In principle, EFJA is not against the rounding up of individuals suspected of provoking riots and looting in Addis Ababa. But EFJA looks upon the rounding up of newspaper vendors as an action calculated to destroy the free press.

EFJA notes that the government shoulders the responsibility to maintain peace and stability. In order to do this, the government should adopt a sober approach in resolving the current problems. In the organisation’s opinion, the government cannot find solutions to the problems by cracking down on newspaper and magazine vendors in Markato, Lagare, Piazza, Menlike Square and Arat Kilo areas, under cover of claiming to arrest hooligans.

The newspaper and magazine vendors were released on 21 April, on condition that they stop their vending activities. While EFJA welcomes the release of the vendors, the organisation maintains that the prohibition on vendors from carrying out their work will render them jobless. Not only will the imposition of this measure mean that they will have no means of earning a living, but the distribution of newspapers and magazines will be stopped and publications will only reach the public with great difficulty.

Recommended Action

Appeals To

APPEALS TO:

H.E Ato Meles Zenawi

Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Fax: +251 1 552 020
H.E Ato Worede wold Wolde

Minister of Justice

Fax: +251 1 550 722
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.