Ethiopia: IFJ and IPI criticise government over lack of transparency in media bill

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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PRESS RELEASE/UPDATE - ETHIOPIA

9 March 2004

IFJ and IPI criticise government over lack of transparency in media bill
drafting

SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels; International
Press Institute (IPI), Vienna

**Updates IFEX alerts of 18 and 5 December, 14 and 10 February and 21 January
2003**

(IFJ/IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 8 March 2004 joint IFJ and IPI media
release:

IFJ and IPI Criticise Ethiopian Government Over Lack of Transparency in Media
Bill Drafting

Two of the world's leading press freedom groups, the International Press
Institute (IPI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have
criticised the failure of the Ethiopian government to inform the domestic media,
civil society and the international community of crucial amendments to the draft
press law, as well as set out a transparent legislative process for the law.

According to information provided to IPI and IFJ, the Ethiopian Minister of
Information, Bereket Simon, indicated on 27 February that he intended to submit
the draft press law to the Council of Ministers by 5 March. As a result, unless
the newly amended law is provided for external comment, there will be no
discussion of the law until the bill reaches parliament.

"The entire process for the passage of the bill now appears shrouded in almost
total secrecy," said Johann P. Fritz, IPI Director. "The Ethiopian government
appears determined to push the law through without additional comment. It
suggests that many of the law's discriminatory sections have been retained. The
Ethiopian government should show good faith and publish the amended law for
further comment before going ahead."

"The failure to allow public comment will undermine the credibility of the
process and weaken the law," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "In this
case, more than most, it is vital to have open government."

The IFJ and IPI are calling on the Ethiopian government to recognize the
fundamental role of a free press in the development of a democratic and open
society.

For further information, contact the IFJ, International Press Centre, Residence
Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium, tel: +322 235 2200
or +322 235 22 01, fax: +322 235 22 19, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.ifj.org/, or IPI at Spiegelgasse 2/29, A-1010 Vienna, Austria, tel:
+43 1 512 90 11, fax: +43 1 512 90 14, e-mail: Michael Kudlak at
[email protected], Diana Orlova at [email protected], or David Dadge at
[email protected], Internet site: http://www.freemedia.at

The information contained in this press release/update is the sole
responsibility of IFJ and IPI. In citing this material for broadcast or
publication, please credit IFJ and IPI.
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