The International Press Institute (IPI) warns that proposed amendments in Ethiopia would reverse positive reforms from 2021, damaging independent journalism by compromising the Ethiopia Media Authority’s independence and increasing government control over media regulation.
Ethiopia is facing proposed amendments that threaten the gains achieved through the 2021 Media Proclamation, which previously decriminalized defamation and halted pre-trial detentions for media offenses. These amendments undermine independent journalism by altering the structure and authority of the Ethiopia Media Authority (EMA), thereby enhancing government control over media regulation under the guise of improving administrative efficiency.
The proposed media law amendments in Ethiopia pose significant threats to media freedom by diminishing the independence of the EMA and increasing governmental influence. These changes contradict international commitments to free expression and media independence, necessitating a call to action for lawmakers to reject the amendments in order to safeguard journalistic integrity and societal transparency.
Original Source: hornobserver.com
