Press institute worried by Ethiopia PM’s comments on private media
Nov 8, 2005 (VIENNA) — In an interview on 5 November, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told a reporter from the state-owned Ethiopian Television that elements of the local and international media were guilty of “fanning” recent violence in the capital, Addis Ababa, that has led to the deaths of at least 42 people.
In response to a politically loaded question from the reporter about the actions of the media, Zenawi said:
“The issue of resolving the basic problems of the private press should be looked into at their own time. Notwithstanding this, it is well known that there are many in the private press who have been fanning the violent activities and who have been working hand-in-hand with the [opposition parties]. These ones are also equally answerable… as they have been engaged in the violent and criminal activities.”
On the question of the international media, Zenawi said the Ethiopian government would seek to discuss the issue with their “respective governments”. Zenawi’s comments are thought to refer to a statement made by the new information minister, Berhan Hailu, who recently said that the Voice of America and Deutsche Welle radio stations were the “mouthpieces” of the opposition and were “destabilizing the peace and stability of the country”.
As violent protests over the bitterly contested election results have intensified, so have the problems for the media. Over the last week threats have been made on state-owned media and several journalists have been arrested. In addition, according to the latest information, an editor and deputy editor remain in jail, while an unknown number of journalists have fled the country.
According to IPI’s sources, the volatile situation has also had an impact on other print media, with some saying they have been harassed by opposition supporters for not joining a boycott of government-owned print services. Heeding the boycott, other print media have voluntarily stopped printing their editions.
Responding to the ongoing crisis, IPI director Johann P Fritz said: “While in a time of crisis the media should do their utmost to report news in a measured and calm manner, government officials should also refrain from making threatening remarks that will only exacerbate the already dangerous situation and perhaps endanger journalists’ lives.”
“The arrest and jailing of journalists by the authorities is also a worrying sign that the government is seeking to suppress the media’s right to comment on the ongoing civil crisis. The arrests will only encourage self-censorship and, as has already happened, cause other journalists to leave the country in fear of their lives. Just as importantly, those protesting the actions of the government must also respect the rights of the media.”
“Given the fact that Addis Ababa is the headquarters for the African Union, I would call on the African Union to do everything in its power to persuade the Ethiopian government to stop arresting and jailing journalists and to ensure that Ethiopia upholds its international commitments to freedom of the press and freedom of opinion,” said Fritz.