Ethiopia’s Crackdown on Journalists Under State of Emergency Raises Concerns
Ethiopia’s recent declaration of a state of emergency has raised concerns about the crackdown on journalists in the country. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed deep concern about the arrest of three journalists and has called on authorities to release all members of the press detained for their work.
One of the journalists arrested is Abay Zewdu, the chief editor of Amhara Media Center (AMC), a YouTube-based broadcaster. He was arrested in the capital city of Addis Ababa on August 10th and transferred to the Awash Arba military facility on August 21st. Abay remains in detention at the Afar state military camp’s temporary detention center in Awash Arab town. Another journalist, Yidnekachew Kebede, founder, and editor of Negari TV, a YouTube-based outlet, was also arrested on August 17th. He was accused of aiding anti-peace elements and producing content with the intent of provoking violence. However, he was released on bail on September 1st. Fekadu Mahtemework, the editor-in-chief of Ghion magazine, was detained on August 25th but was released without charge on September 4th.
The state of emergency in Ethiopia was declared on August 4th in response to the conflict in northern Amhara state between government forces and the armed militia group, Fano. This state of emergency grants security personnel wide powers of arrest and suspends due process, including the right to appear before a court and receive legal counsel.
All three journalists had published reports or commentary on the Amhara conflict and the state of emergency, according to CPJ’s review. The arrests raise concerns about the targeting of journalists during times of conflict and the impact on media freedom and diverse reporting. CPJ’s Sub-Saharan Africa Representative, Muthoki Mumo, emphasized the need for Ethiopian authorities to release all detained journalists and to guarantee that the state of emergency does not stifle the media.
Prior to his detention, Abay had extensively covered the Amhara crisis, including interviews with civilians and Fano militiamen. Yidnekachew had published critical posts on Facebook about the emergency declaration and the detention of activists and civilians. Fekadu’s magazine, Ghion, had reported on the state of emergency and mass arrests in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas.
Ethiopian journalists have faced frequent arrests over the past few years, particularly during times of political tension or conflict. Abay and Fekadu have previously been detained and released on bail. The recent arrests and detention of journalists highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the Ethiopian media.
The CPJ’s call for the release of detained journalists and the protection of media freedom during the state of emergency underscores the importance of diverse reporting and commentary during times of conflict. It remains to be seen how Ethiopian authorities will respond to these concerns and ensure the safety and well-being of journalists in the country.
