Journalist jailed for defamation
New York, March 8, 2001 — Ethiopian journalist Tilahun Bekele, editor of the defunct Amharic-language weekly Fetash, was charged with criminal defamation by an Addis Ababa court and jailed, CPJ sources reported. Bekele has been in government custody since February 7, when he was arrested in connection with an article he had published more than…
Editor of Amharic weekly released on bail
New York, February 28, 2001 – Befekadu Moreda, editor of the private Amharic-language weekly Tomar, was released on bail on February 27, after spending two weeks in jail for refusing to reveal sources for a story on a secessionist movement. Kifle Mulat, the president of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA), said the relative…
Yet another journalist detained for reporting on separatist movements
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is appalled at the deplorable treatment of independent journalists and news outlets in Ethiopia, Africa’s foremost jailer of journalists in recent years. We are particularly concerned about the recent arrest and detention of Befekadu Moreda, editor of the private Amharic-language weekly Tomar.
Attacks on the Press 1999: Africa Analysis
By Claudia McElroyAll over Africa, conflict continued to be the single biggest threat to journalists and to press freedom itself. Both civil and cross-border wars were effectively used as an excuse by governments (and rebel forces) to harass, intimidate, and censor the press–often in the name of “national security”–and in some cases to kill journalists…
Attacks on the Press 1999: Enemies of the Press
Each year on World Press Freedom Day (May 3), CPJ announces its list of the ten worst enemies of the press. Those who made the list this year, as in the past, earned the dubious distinction by exhibiting particular zeal in the ruthless suppression of press freedom. They were singled out for their unrelenting and…
LEGAL AT LAST, LOCAL PRESS GROUP APPEALS FOR INTERNATIONAL AID
New York, March 15, 2000 — After a seven year wait, the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) has obtained a certificate of legal recognition from the Ethiopian government, according to CPJ sources in Addis Ababa. Justice Minister Worede-Wolb Wolbe signed the certificate on March 13. It sanctions the EFJA’s work, which includes documenting press…
Enemies of the Press: The 10 Worst Offenders of 1998
On May 3, in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, CPJ announced its annual identification of the top 10 Enemies of the Press worldwide. Those who made the list this year, as in the past, earned the dubious distinction by exhibiting particular zeal for the ruthless suppression of journalists. Gen. Sani Abacha of Nigeria was…
118 Journalists Imprisoned in 25 Countries
Washington, D.C., March 25 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported today in its annual worldwide study of press freedom that at least 118 journalists were in prison in 25 countries at the end of 1998, and 24 journalists in 17 countries were murdered during the year in reprisal for their reporting.