International concern over draft press law

Ethiopia’s controversial new draft press law could breach international standards on freedom of expression, a leading advocacy group declared on Tuesday. ARTICLE 19, an international media advocacy group, argued that the new law raised “key areas of concern in relation to freedom of expression”. In a 33-page report, it urged the Ethiopian government to abandon the draft law and even change elements of its 1995 constitution to meet international guidelines. It added that the draft law could breach the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Both declarations have been adopted by Ethiopia and key elements incorporated into its own constitution. “The government should refrain from manifesting open hostility towards the private media and it should take positive measures to stop the arrest and other forms of harassment of journalists,” ARTICLE 19 said in its report. It also called on the private press to develop a “responsible, independent and effective media sector” by improving standards, and to engage in “constructive” dialogue with the government. The new draft press law, which has already sparked fierce debate in Ethiopia, could come into force by the end of the year. Editors and publishers argue it will stifle the fledgling private press, while the government says it is aimed at ensuring better standards and accuracy among journalists.