Journalists condemn draft press law

The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA) has condemned as "draconian", draft press regulations newly released by the government.

The organisation says the law – which could come into force later this year – exposes journalists to heavy fines and imprisonment “under the guise of a code of ethics”.

“Members of the Ethiopia free press have undergone great sufferings under the repressive press law and civil and criminal laws that have been in force since the last 40 years,” the EFJA said.

It said that journalists in Ethiopia should receive training to help improve the fledgling private press. Instead, reporters were harassed, intimidated and sometimes imprisoned, it said, adding that a newly-imposed value added tax on newspapers had also hit the industry which is desperate for funds.

The new law has also been criticised by the International Federation of Journalists.

“Ethiopia is embarked upon a fictitious process of consultation and a sham debate about press reform while it plans to stifle the media and to gag independent journalists,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.

“There have already been heavy restrictions against free press publications and many journalists have been imprisoned,” he added.

Members of the EFJA walked out of a meeting which had been called by the information ministry to present the draft law.

However, before it comes into law, the draft will have to pass through the Council of Ministers and the House of People’s Representatives.