14 Feb 2013
Ethiopia has been listed as one of the top 10 nations named on the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Risk List 2013 reports. The capsule report on Ethiopia reads,
Ethiopia has been listed as one of the top 10 nations named on the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Risk List 2013 reports. The capsule report on Ethiopia reads,
To read the full report please click here.EthiopiaEthiopian authorities wielded a sweeping anti-terror law to silence critics. In late year, six journalists languished in prison, making Ethiopia the second-worst jailer of journalists in the region, behind only neighboring Eritrea. Most detainees were convicted under the anti-terrorism law, which criminalizes coverage of opposition and separatist groups, CPJ found. "We only have a handful of independent newspapers and no private broadcast media--and the anti-terrorism law is killing those few that exist," said an Ethiopian journalist who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.Four journalists fled Ethiopia in the face of possible imprisonment, CPJ's 2012 exile reportfound. At least 49 Ethiopian journalists have been forced into exile since 2007, the third-highest total worldwide. CPJ research indicates that journalists in exile face major obstacles to their health and safety, and only 17 percent are able to remain in their profession.The suppression of news was reflected by the information vacuum surrounding the lengthy illness that preceded the August death of longtime Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The government, which insisted Meles was fine until his death, shut the one domestic newspaper that tried to examine his weeks-long absence from public view. Journalists said they are not optimistic that conditions will improve under the new leader, Hailemariam Desalegn. The government "wouldn't want to allow any threat to the new leadership," the journalist said. "The media is one of the biggest threats they would want to avoid."