IPI Urges Rejection of Proposed Amendments to Ethiopia’s Media Law
The IPI has called for Ethiopian lawmakers to reject amendments endangering media freedom gained through the 2021 Media Proclamation. These amendments threaten the EMA’s independence and could increase governmental control over media regulations, undermining previous progress. Dr. Marystella Simiyu of IPI stressed the importance of independent regulatory bodies for safeguarding press freedom.
The International Press Institute (IPI) has urged Ethiopian lawmakers to reject proposed amendments that threaten the progress of media freedom established by the 2021 Media Proclamation. This law, which decriminalized defamation and abolished pre-trial detentions for media offenses, is now at risk due to these new proposals, which could undermine the independence of the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) and enhance governmental oversight of media regulations under the guise of improving administrative efficiency.
The draft amendments suggest significant changes to the appointment processes of EMA board members, allowing the prime minister to nominate its director. Additionally, they would eliminate current regulations that prevent members and employees of political parties from sitting on the board. Previously, the board was composed of representatives from civil society organizations and various media sectors, ensuring a broad range of expertise.
Moreover, the proposed changes would shift the authority over media licensing from the Board to the EMA. This transfer of powers poses a risk to the checks and balances currently in place, particularly alarming given past incidents of arbitrary license suspensions targeting critical journalists. The amendments have raised concerns among freedom of expression advocates, highlighting the need for independent media regulation.
Dr. Marystella Simiyu, the Africa Senior Legal Advocacy Officer at IPI, emphasized the necessity of an independent regulatory body for press freedom, stating, “An independent regulatory body is indispensable to press freedom. Governments should therefore ensure the independence of media regulatory bodies, in line with their commitments to safeguard freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed under Article 19 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
Dr. Simiyu strongly called for lawmakers to reject any proposed amendments that threaten the independence of the media regulator, reinforcing that such changes would be incompatible with international principles and commitments.
In summary, the proposed amendments to Ethiopia’s media law pose significant risks to the independence and freedom of the press, potentially reversing the progress achieved by the 2021 Media Proclamation. The International Press Institute strongly advises against these amendments, emphasizing the critical role of independent media regulation in ensuring freedom of expression. Such regulatory independence is vital for fostering a robust and diverse media landscape.
Original Source: hornobserver.com
