For decades, Ethiopia has been closely scrutinized by international organizations advocating for journalists’ rights. The country’s long-standing struggle with freedom of the press has been a cause for concern, particularly during periods of political turmoil like the one unfolding over the past four years.
A global leader in press freedom and press protection, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has consistently highlighted the deteriorating press freedom in Ethiopia while documenting multiple press freedom violations, including the arrests of numerous journalists.
The recent conflicts in the Northern region between the federal government and the non-state militia, , have further worsened the situation, resulting in the imprisonment of more journalists and media professionals.
A month ago, the CPJ expressed deep concern about the arrest of three journalists during the state of emergency declared in the conflict-ridden North region. Abay Zewdu, , Yidnekachew Kebede, , and Fekadu Mahtemework , were all arrested between late August and early September.
In October 2016, the Ethiopian Media Council firmly stated that “even in a state of emergency, journalists and media should only be held accountable in accordance with the law. Failure to do so tarnishes the country’s international image.”
Detained journalists often languish in prison for months without formal charges as authorities attempt to suppress critical coverage. Press freedom advocates argue that such injustices indicate that the government’s motive behind these arrests may stem from dissatisfaction with certain journalistic viewpoints rather than actual criminal activities. This oppressive environment has led to a troubling trend where journalists and media experts feel compelled to seek asylum abroad, not only for their safety but also to protect their families.
One such voice is Tewodros Asfaw, a political analyst . After being accused of terrorism, imprisoned, and subsequently released, Tewodros chose exile, citing “government harassment” as the main reason for his decision.Tewodros disclosed, “The repeated imprisonment and harassment due to my profession were the primary reasons for my exile.”
One of the recent victims of government persecution is Dawit Begashaw, one of the founders and public relations head of the association, who remains in prison currently. Tibebu, who is also the Executive Director of Ahadu Radio and Television, further highlighted that several media entities have been forced to shut down, leaving a sense of apprehension among those still operating. “In this climate, simply being identified as a journalist can be intimidating,” he said.
An interesting trend observed in Ethiopia’s media sector in recent times is the prioritization of entertainment content by numerous domestic media outlets, seemingly at the expense of in-depth socio-political coverage. This shift is notable considering the need for a more thorough exploration of pivotal issues in the current societal context.
Particularly during periods of political turmoil, several media outlets prefer to engage in echoing government narratives instead of providing an independent and unbiased account. Academics like Matheos argue that an atmosphere of apprehension may be forcing media outlets to tread cautiously, avoiding sensitive political topics.
The domestic media’s focus on entertainment is the direct consequence of the challenges faced when attempting to cover politics without bias.
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