Media Watchdog Criticizes Ethiopia's Press Freedom

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Response to Gary Klein of DLA Piper
(Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam)
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International media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, has criticized the Ethiopian government for its inconsistent approach to press freedom. On Saturday, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi conditionally pardoned four journalists who had previously been given long prison sentences.

As Malcolm Webb reports from Nairobi, the media watchdog say that the journalists' release does not suggest a move toward more press freedom in Ethiopia.

[Click here for AUDIO report]

The Paris-based group says it welcomes the release of the four Ethiopian journalists. The journalists had been convicted in July of crimes relating to their coverage of the post-election unrest in 2005. They were given prison sentences ranging from four to 15 years after waiving their defense and pleading guilty, in anticipation of being granted a pardon.

But the group says it is regrettable that they were freed because of what the group believes was the prime minister's wish, not because of the outcome of a fair trial. A senior researcher at Reporters Without Borders, Vincent Brossel, said the Ethiopian government's inconsistent actions are destroying the credibility of the country's justice system, and that their release does not signify any move toward press freedom.(More...)

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Picture of the Day

Yes, we here at ETP can't get enough of the ‘Awra Amba’ story. This is because it offers a glimpse into what Ethiopians are capable of and could contribute to the world, if given half the chance. Ethiopia’s untapped reservoir of history, knowledge, culture and natural resources have the potential to benefit not only its citizens but also the entire world. The purging of guns from Ethiopia's political system is what the country primarily needs to really blossom.

(Picture - Awra Amba Kids MOTO) Kids in Awra Amba are well educated in ethics and morality. The above roughly translates to: " MOTTO: We, kids, will not touch other peoples money. If we find it on the ground, we will return it to the owner. By working together with unity and compassion, we will be productive. Our peaceful lives will nourish.")

-More pictures from AWRA AMBA
-AWRA AMBA: ONE MAN'S MODEL FOR A JUST SOCIETY
-Ahmed Teshome's single - 'AWRA AMBA' (Music)





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