Ethiopian authorities detain Alpha Media founder Bekalu Alamrew
Durban, South Africa, August 9, 2023—Ethiopian authorities must immediately release journalist Bekalu Alamrew, founder and chief editor of Alpha Media, a YouTube-based news channel, and ensure the protection of press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On Sunday, August 6, at approximately 2 p.m., three uniformed police officers and two other people in…
DRC police attack Congolese journalists Louis France Kuzikesa and Will Claes N’lemvo in Ethiopia
Kinshasa, August 4, 2023—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should investigate and hold to account police officers who assaulted journalists Louis France Kuzikesa and Will Claes N’lemvo in an Ethiopian airport, and stop law enforcement officials from intimidating the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On July 30, a dozen men…
CPJ calls for swift and credible investigation into burglary of Ethiopia Insider office
Nairobi, July 20, 2023—In response to the recent burglary of the privately owned news outlet Ethiopia Insider, including the stealing of video production equipment, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The burglary of Ethiopia Insider, an outlet with a reputation for critical and independent journalism, could have a devastating impact on its…
Journalist Gobeze Sisay facing terrorism investigation in Ethiopia after arrest in Djibouti
Nairobi, May 12, 2023—Ethiopian authorities should immediately release journalist Gobeze Sisay and cease harassing members of the press at home and abroad, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 6, Ethiopian authorities announced that Gobeze, editor and founder of privately owned YouTube-based broadcaster The Voice of Amhara, had been arrested in the neighboring…
CPJ, 47 rights organizations call on Ethiopia to end internet shutdowns
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 47 human rights organizations in an April 27 letter calling on Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to ensure unfettered internet and digital communications access. The letter expressed alarm at the weaponization of internet shutdowns in the country, highlighting several recent disruptions, including on April 3 when authorities blocked access…
At least 8 journalists detained amid renewed unrest in Ethiopia
Nairobi, April 14, 2023–Ethiopian authorities should cease arbitrarily detaining journalists during times of political tension and investigate allegations that security officers attacked members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Between April 3 and April 13, security personnel in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, arrested at least six journalists and allegedly assaulted two…
Ethiopian authorities detain journalists Getenet Ashagre and Aragaw Sisay
Nairobi, April 3, 2023—Ethiopian authorities should immediately release journalists Getenet Ahagre and Aragaw Sisay, and stop detaining members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On the morning of March 26, federal police officers in Addis Ababa arrested Aragaw, founder and chief editor of the privately owned YouTube-based news outlet Roha News,…
Ethiopian authorities detain Gurage Media Network founder Beyene Wolde
Nairobi, March 22, 2023—Ethiopian authorities should immediately release journalist Beyene Wolde and ensure that members of the press are not imprisoned for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the afternoon of March 2, police arrested Beyene from his office in the capital city of Addis Ababa, according to news reports and…
Ethiopian authorities detain 2 Ethio Selam journalists, media worker for coverage of church rift
Nairobi, February 23, 2023 — Ethiopian authorities should unconditionally release two staffers from the internet broadcaster Ethio Selam and drop criminal proceedings into a third, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Police and security agents in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa arrested Ethio Selam founder Tewodros Asfaw from his home on February 14, his brother…
Authorities in Ethiopia’s Somali region suspend 15 media outlets, revoke media association’s license
Nairobi, February 17, 2023— Authorities in Ethiopia should reverse the recent suspensions of more than a dozen news outlets and let members of the press and journalist advocacy groups work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Since late January, authorities have suspended 15 foreign media outlets operating in Somali Regional State, and also…