One of the biggest freedom of expression watchdogs, the
International Press Institute (IPI), makes condemnation of Ethiopia’s use of sweeping anti-terrorism law to
imprison journalists and other legislative restrictions are hindering
the development of free and independent media in Africa’s second
largest country, according to a report published in VIENNA,
on January 14, 2014.
Dozens
of journalists and political activists have been arrested or
sentenced under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation of 2009, including
five journalists who are serving prison sentences and who at times
have been denied access to visitors and legal counsel. The report,
“Press Freedom in Ethiopia”, is based on a mission to the country
carried out in November by IPI and the World Association of
Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).
“Despite
a strong constitutional basis for press freedom and freedom of
information, the Ethiopian government has systematically used the
anti-terrorism law to
