Press Violations in Ethiopia and Sanctuary in the United States

RAP21.org - July 17, 2008

Since 2001, more than 100 journalists have left Ethiopia. Now, amid discussion that a new media law will be another impedance to achieve press freedom, there is no sign that this trend will change.

RAP 21 interviewed prominent African news website journalist Habtamu Dugo who left Ethiopia several months ago to live in New York City. His story, unfolding alongside the new media law in his home country, is as a testimony to the hostile environment journalists in Ethiopia work in. Though since his arrival in the United States he has again raised his voice on US national radio and television shows in defense of those still in Ethiopia grappling with injustice.

RAP 21: What is the state of press freedom in Ethiopia?

Habtamu Dugo: Journalists are also not allowed to go into sensitive and major areas where stories are really developing. For instance, the May massacre in West Oromia State in the Western part of the country, which claimed the lives of over 400 children, men and women was not reported on. Journalists were prohibited from going into scenes of gross human rights violations such as Ogaden and Oromia. The situation is the same for foreign journalists in Ethiopia who also get harassed and detained for days or months. In the Eastern Oromia State of Ethiopia, UNICEF reports that 6 million children are threatened with starvation. The government has banned people from taking pictures and going into these areas in order to avoid its own embarrassment worldwide. This worsens the humanitarian crises as donors are blocked from getting information. Read More.