Ethiopian Mass media Professionals Association has issued a statement regarding the arrest of journalists.
According to the association, it believes that when mass media professionals make mistakes, they should be questioned in accordance with the law and the rule of law should be respected.
However, “after the reform” in Ethiopia, the association had high hopes for ensuring the freedom of the media, but the context in which professionals work is getting narrower and journalists are being harassed by government’s security forces.
The founder and executive member of the Association of Media Professionals and the head of the association’s public relations department, journalist Dawit Begashaw, including Aragaw Sisay, Genet Assmamaw, Getnet Ashagre, Beyene Wolde and Tewodros Asfaw, were arrested by government forces, the association said.
The association added that, even their families do not have enough information about the whereabouts and condition of some of the arrested journalists.
Journalists are being arrested, kidnapped and their homes and offices are being ransacked without a court warrant, preventing professionals from doing their work freely. The association also stated that it made the press environment more hostile.
The association condemned the security acts on journalists and mentioned its readiness to fight such pressures that undermine the profession.
According to Ethiopia’s media law, despite the media decree issued two years ago, journalists suspected of crimes can be prosecuted without being jailed.
The association has requested the government to respect the constitutional and international laws approved by the government to ensure the freedom of the press.
The government asked to release journalists who have been employed without any legal procedures and to stop the humiliation of the experts.
One of the International journalism Institute known as committee for Protection of Journalists or CPJ is demanding the release of journalists in Ethiopia.
