Ethiopia

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Spotlight: Ethiopia Attacks Free Expression & the Law

Under Abiy, Ethiopia's media have more freedom but challenges remain

1 May 2019
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Though the Ethiopian press is much freer today than before Abiy took power, CPJ spoke to over a dozen journalists and rights defenders who said that challenges remain, including the risk of attack and arrest, and a proposed law that could curtail their newly found freedoms.

Ethiopia Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law

Ethiopia: Abiy's first year as prime minister, review of freedom of expression

Significant progress has been made on media freedom in Ethiopia, though there's still a reluctance to critique the government or ask difficult questions. Hate speech on social media is a serious and growing problem, although the government's proposed hate speech law raises concerns it may be used to stifle legitimate expressions of dissent.

‎ Human Rights Watch (HRW)‎ 1 May 2019

Ethiopia Free Expression & the Law

Ethiopia's state of emergency allows for the arbitrary re-arrest of 5 journalists

In just one month after declaring a state of emergency in the country - the second in two years - Ethiopian authorities arrested 5 journalists, all of whom have been imprisoned before.

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)‎29 March 2018

Ethiopia Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law

Critical blogger Seyoum Teshome arrested

Publisher of the Ethiothinktank blog, Seyoum Teshome was arrested on 9 March and his whereabouts are still unknown. CPJ is demanding his unconditional release.

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)‎16 March 2018

Latest from Ethiopia

Ethiopia deports British journalist William Davison based in Addis

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Ethiopia Free Expression & the Law 15 March 2018
AFEX calls on Ethiopian government to uphold freedom of expression rights

‎ African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX)

Ethiopia Attacks Freedom of Assembly 12 March 2018
Rights groups welcome release of Ethiopian journalists Eskinder Nega and Woubshet Taye

‎ Reyhana Masters for IFEX

Ethiopia Free Expression & the Law 15 February 2018
Pardon and release of journalist Eskinder Nega overturned after his refusal to sign false confession

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Ethiopia Free Expression & the Law 11 February 2018
Ethiopia: Why release of journalists Darsema Sori & Khalid Mohammed does not signal end to press crackdown

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Ethiopia Free Expression & the Law 29 January 2018
Ethiopia urged to release journalists Eskinder Nega, Woubshet Taye & Zelalem Workagegnehu

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Ethiopia Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law 19 January 2018
Ethiopia to close Maekelawi detention centre, free political prisoners

‎ Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Access to Information Ethiopia Free Expression & the Law 5 January 2018
Ethiopia: Third Internet shutdown follows imprisonment of two human rights activists

‎ ARTICLE 19

Ethiopia Digital Rights Freedom of Assembly 6 June 2017
Ethiopian editor Getachew Shiferaw convicted of "inciting subversion"

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Ethiopia Censorship Free Expression & the Law 29 May 2017
Eskinder Nega named press freedom hero ahead of WPFD

‎ International Press Institute

International Ethiopia Afghanistan Attacks World Press Freedom Day 28 April 2017
Ethiopia, DRC & Mali: 183 killed in protests between July-December 2016

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Ethiopia Impunity Mali Attacks Democratic Republic of Congo 21 March 2017
Directive bans all protests without government permission in Ethiopia

‎ Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia Impunity Free Expression & the Law 31 October 2016
Eskinder Nega: No good criticism goes unpunished

‎ IFEX

Ethiopia Free Expression & the Law 21 October 2016
Why were over 150 Ethiopians killed in a single day?

‎ Freedom House

Ethiopia Attacks Freedom of Assembly 7 October 2016
WhatsApp, Facebook blocked in Ethiopia after protestors killed by security forces

‎ Freedom House

Ethiopia Attacks Digital Rights Censorship Freedom of Assembly 8 August 2016
Attack on civil society could reach "breaking point" in Ethiopia

‎ Freedom House

Ethiopia Attacks Digital Rights Freedom of Assembly 22 July 2016
Brutal crackdown on protest movement in Ethiopia's Oromia region

‎ Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia Attacks Freedom of Assembly 19 June 2016
Crackdown on protests continues in Ethiopia's Oromia region

‎ Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia Attacks Freedom of Assembly 22 February 2016
EU should condemn Ethiopia's crackdown on Oromo protests

‎ Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia Attacks Freedom of Assembly 12 January 2016
Reeyot Alemu

‎ IFEX

Ethiopia Censorship 14 December 2015
Yet again, a bloody crackdown on protesters in Ethiopia

‎ Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia Attacks Freedom of Assembly 7 December 2015
Acquittal of Zone 9 bloggers has not ended repression in Ethiopia

‎ Freedom House

Ethiopia Censorship Free Expression & the Law 20 November 2015
Zone 9 bloggers: Out of jail, but not free

‎ IFEX

Ethiopia Digital Rights 16 October 2015
Remaining Zone 9 bloggers acquitted of terrorism charges in Ethiopia

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Ethiopia Censorship Free Expression & the Law 16 October 2015
Activists on way to food security workshop charged with terrorism

‎ Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia Free Expression & the Law 25 September 2015
Hacking Team ignored reported abuses of its technology in Ethiopia

‎ Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia Digital Rights 18 August 2015

At a glance

Most covered free expression issues in this country

More from Ethiopia

Freedom on the Net 2017: Ethiopia

The Computer Crime Proclamation enacted in June 2016 criminalizes online defamation and incitement and strengthened the government’s surveillance capabilities by enabling real-time monitoring or interception of communications

Freedom House 16 November 2017
Freedom of the Press 2017: Ethiopia

n October, in response to ongoing antigovernment protests, the authorities enacted a state of emergency that allowed them to restrict internet access and social media use and designate two television channels run by Ethiopians abroad as terrorist organizations, among other repressive measures.

Freedom House 27 April 2017
Freedom of the Press 2016: Ethiopia

Two journalists—one with an opposition newspaper and another with a state-owned newspaper that had covered mass protests—were arrested in December, and were being held without charge at year’s end.

Freedom House 23 April 2016