Freedom of Expression and Journalists' Integrity in Ethiopia
By Tamiru Geda Gilliba, Ethiopia

As I represent one of the six Executive members of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association, EFJA, I believe that integrity of journalists is a human rights issue, where it safe-guarding the press that is believed to be “the messenger of the public “. Those who are committed to exercising such noble ideals should be protected by the government and also considered watchdogs. Unfortunately, the press is viewed as an enemy by the Ethiopian government.

Ethiopia, located in the Horn of Africa with more than 70 million people, has many unique characteristics. It is the only country in Africa that uses its own alphabet and script, Amharic. Addis Ababa, the capital city, is the seat of the African Union and international organizations, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Christianity and Islam are the main religions in the country, with 50% of the population each. It is also the only country in the Sub-Saharan region that was never colonized by the Europeans. There are more than 82 different ethnic groups living in the nine Federal Regional states. The country is led by the prime minister, who is chosen from the winning party, according to the country’s constitution.

Concerning the integrity of journalists, I don’t believe that it should be totally about providing media practitioners unlimited powers. However, if we are trained, experienced and enjoy freedom of expression without intimidation and are free from any sort of harassment, then the activity of journalism improves. The integrity of journalists or press independence in Ethiopia have common experiences under the previous three and consecutive regimes, namely the Emperor Hailesleasie (1930-1974), Marxist Regime of Mengistu Hailmarium (1974-1991) and the ruling party (1991 onwards). Independence of the press is always considered the right of the people in the constitution, but in practice and the way it is being handled, this independence is in bad shape. Journalists during the imperial and the Dergue regimes didn’t have right to exercise freedom. Instead they were obliged to encourage the existing system when they were journalists. For example, no media had the right to criticise the mismanagement of the administration that was undertaken by the Emperor and his family members. For instance it was impossible to question budget decisions, famine, human rights concerns, etc. Journalists during the time of the monarch were subjected to a lot of criticism if they wanted to expose the wrongdoings of the system. During the time of the great famine of 1974 that affected millions of Ethiopians in the northern part of the country, it was a mystery for the international media, particularly the BBC Journalist David Dimbely, that Ethiopian journalists were not allowed to cover a single line of news about that tragedy, but only to propagate about the emperor’s generosity and wishing him longevity at the expense of the poor people. Control of the press was completely in the hands of the few royal families .Those officials risked criticism from the Emperor.

Following the fall of the monarch, after the mass revolution, the Dergue also adopted the emperor’s system. Journalists were forced to appease the pride of the junta and their Marxist ideology, by agitating about the goodwill of the few military officers who took over power by force diverting the sacrifice of the people that stood with a slogan of land to the peasants. People were not allowed to listen to foreign based radio stations like the VOA, BBC and Ethiopian opposition groups’ radio stations transmitted from neighboring countries. The media was totally monopolized by the military junta, phones tapped, journalists disappeared and murdered. The late 1980s was a period of anti-junta journalism and elites.

Fourteen years ago the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front, EPRDF, took power and declared freedom of the press a constitutional right for everybody. Censorship of the media was also abolished. Weekly and monthly private press mushroomed in the streets of Addis and were even circulated to the remote areas of the countryside, without any barriers, based of the Charter that was drafted during the Interim Government that only existed two years. Many people associated that charter as the American Amendment of the constitution, during the time of president Jefferson. Two years later, a press law was drafted and ratified by the ruling party .The independence of the private press and freedom of expressions is questionable . For instance the police has been the decision makers and confront with Journalists from the private press , claiming the press is disseminating “ false information and defamation stories in every week’s issues . Journalists were summoned by the prosecutors or being arrested by the police with out any warrant .

Till recently Ethiopia has been in the list of the press watch dogs list of the international media organizations, such as CPJ, IPI, IFEX. Amnesty International, Article 19, etc. Many independent journalists have been imprisoned, fined large sums for allegedly writing defamation stories, inciting ethnic hatred or concerning the activates of the defence force. Those private journalists are always responsible for each article, including letters sent in by readers and would be penalized fine of 5000-50,000 birr (US$1-8:65 birr) or imprisoned between one to three years. Due to such pressures in the previous decade, more than 30 journalists have fled to neighbouring countries and more than 40 pending cases are pending court hearings. The Ethiopian Free press Journalists’ Association that I represent became a legal entity in 2002, after struggling for a solid 7 years. The association was the key activist in protesting the new draft press law that is still a concern of the local and international media organization, based on its draconian style. Due to the strong protest that we made, 5 leaders of the association, myself included, were banned for more than 16 months by Mr.Harqaa Haroye, Minster of Justice. We were not permitted to correspond with any third party be it through e-mail, telephone, fax or in person.

”You just concern about your lives” the minister warned us by calling in his office, but we protested his verbal insults that he claimed us as if we are group of certain individuals who stand as anti- government forces, by harboring journalists who criticized the government .Finally we appealed before the court and a charge was filed against the ministry, for having violated our freedom of assembly. On December 25, 2004 , the court decided that we are the legal representatives of the Association and it also passed an order for the cease of the newly trade union that was formed with the sponsorship of the ministry of justices and ministry of information. The government also attempted to draw the public’s attention by creating a character assassination ,producing different programs against the leadership of EFJA. Such challenge made a good lesson for many civic organizations in the country that have been abused their right by certain government institutions.

The court also ordered the return of the former executive members to back their old business. But the ministry of justice doesn’t seem to admit its fault in interfering in the right of assembling and freedom of trade union.

Access to information is one of the main challenges for most of the private press, no private media is allowed to attend for a press conference held by the prime minister and related officials . On the other hand if the press writes critical issues against officials we are subjected to harassment and intimidation by the officials . Here I would like to draw your attention by mentioning my experience . In May 12, 2002 my paper found a good tips about a secret deal ship between Shell and Agip, where a sign of corruption is involved by concerning officials, particularly those in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. I interviewed some concerned officials like the parliamentarians and business people about the case then tried to approach officials at the ministry. Unfortunately no one was available to respond for my request. Mr. Kashune Ayle the current Ambassador in the US (then Minster of Trade) and Mr. Tadsse Haile, state minister of Trade (then General Manager of the investment commission). My paper exposed the whole event.

After one week I received a telephone call from the ministry it was a direct call from the State Minister . I was instructed to come to his office . when I reached he also invited one of his staff as witness, during our discussion I refused his invitation and told him it’s an informal meeting and if so I should have used my tape recorder . He changed his mind and ordered his staff that I suspected him of legal advisor in that ministry. During our discussion the minister asked for my sources and strongly pressurized me to disclose my sources. I responded to him that I ‘m the one who wrote the story. He also tried to persuade me to write an apology as if my paper was guilty of defamation, again I insisted not to write a single word, because I believe that my sources are genuine and my journalistic integrity .He also explained me that he would lose his job and credibility in his party, that he belongs to the ruling party .I told him that I sensed his problem but no way to retreat from the truth. Finally I suggested that he write a complaint letter to my company and I promised to publish it. He agreed, sent the letter and it was published, with our position as a footnote. The minister called me again and first told me that he didn’t want me to harass but he disclosed that he doesn’t want our stand that he believes it’s aggressive and dangerous for officials like himself.

Most Ethiopian Journalists have the guts to fight for their integrity and independence of the press. Here I would like to tell you another challenge how the private media are subjected for several mistreatment and discrimination of their profession. It was the time when the British Prime minister Tony Blair attended the second Economic commission for Africa held in Addis in mid May,2004. I was accredited to cover the event and on the final day I was invited to a round table dinner discussion organized by the African Development Bank and its senior officials. When I arrived, I came across with security guards who wanted to search me. I told them that I was one of the invited journalists and had a digital camera and tape recorder in my bag. I was asked which media group I represented. I simply responded, “I’m a Journalist.” The chief of the security group intervened and told me I don’t have the right to enter the hotel and meet delegates unless I work for the state media .I was shocked and frustrated by his explanation and decided to find out who had issued such discriminatory rule. ”We got the directive from the Addis Ababa Police commissioner, for security reasons,” I was told.

Officials from the ADB and the owner of the hotel who had already got money for the reservation of the room attempted to convince the guards that I was a journalist who was expected at the Economic Commission Meeting, but my entry was refused. A colleague of mine who also works for one of the private media and has good connections with most government officials came and tried to explain my case. Finally he called the Ministry of Information. The minister immediately talked with the police commissioner and later called my collogue back and told him that I’m ”a free man”. The minister also requested an official apologize to the ADB officials for what had been done by his own security people. Such abuses of journalists’ dignity is common in Ethiopia and will continue in the future until the government recognizes the importance of the media in a positive way.

Though freedom of expression is a constitutional right under article 29 of the constitution, many journalists have appeared before the courts, accused of disseminating false information and provoking ethnic strife. Those Judges who are believed independent for their profession are seen to sentence and fine editors of the private journalists. Regardless this most private newspaper are striving to inform the public and challenging the government officials in national issues, such as corruption, border conflicts with Eritrea that cost the lives of more than 70,000 on both sides. Most private press are critical for the Federalism system based on ethnics that supports minority role over the majority.

To me, being a private journalist for the private media is carrying the most hardship and burden that is imposed from the dictatorial regime purporting to be developing democracy to the international community. Journalists in the sate media are also face similar problems at certain pointes such as censorship of their articles or broadcast, victim of favouritism based on their ethnics and party affiliation to the ruling party, specially accompanying officials when they travel abroad. Recently the government has aired a notice for the public to fight those state media journalists that are suspected of corruption and nepotism. Many journalists have left the profession directly because they no longer want to be attacked by a political machine.

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